Gene Hawkins

I work with Gene almost 40 years ago at WFBC and then your friend 4. We had a lot of great times in Creative Services and he was a really nice guy. I hate to hear this. Rest in peace my friend.

I knew Gene for years at WYFF. I was just a kid eager to break into the world of advertising. Gene and his colleague Frank Turner taught me so much about the creative process that goes into TV advertising. After I left WYFF he still asked about me and my family. Much love to the Hawkins family in this time of grief.

Joyce, Todd and Sloan
We were all blessed to be part of Genes life and he was such a special person, the kind you never forget. I remember the times working together when we would go somewhere, everyone everywhere knew him, and I realized I was in the company of someone special. I’m sorry for your loss but I Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us all, he will be missed.

We are very sorry to learn of Gene's passing, but will always remember his smile!  Love and Prayers Joyce!

I knew Gene in high school. He was one of the nicest gentleman that I've ever known and friendly to everyone. I pray that God will comfort his family and friends as we grieve his passing.

Gene was a good friend. We worked together at WFBC-TV/WYFF-TV when he was working in the art Department with Frank Turner. The world and our lives will be the poorer for his absence.

I grew up with Gene, probably first met in 1948 when we moved next door to his late cousin Mary Lou Madden. Sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers for his family.

Gene was a very dear friend of mine for many, many  years...I could always count on our friendship and him personally to support me and my family no matter what.  I treasure the vast memories and times we have spent together over the years, and know he reigns joyously in God's house today.  He will be missed by many but non more so than me -- love to Joyce and the family, Malcolm Floyd and Jean & Herb Sharpe

With deepest sympathy to the family . Former classmate of 1963. Carol Hakiel Otto

The Fletcher Allen girls send their sympathy to you at this sad time.  Gene was a lovely man who was dedicated to family and to Sans Souci Baptist Church when we knew him. 

Joyce, Todd, Sloan and family,
I’ve know Gene and hi family for as long as I can remember. Gene lived his faith in Jesus Christ and was a dedicated member of TFBC. I will miss our conversations.
My prayers and sympathy are with you in your tremendous loss. May God’s peace comfort you.

Joyce so sorry to hear about Gene you are in my prayers and thoughts Love ,Marla

Joyce,  please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  We are so glad to have known Gene.  We feel so blessed to have met you and Gene through Bob and Pat.  Truly enjoyed the times we all spent together.  When Gene was around, there was always a lot of laughter that will always be remembered.  Love to you and your family, Jimmy and Cheryl
.

Have known Gene and Joyce for a long, long time. Will cherish the memories from Furman coaching days, Paladin Club days and our grest lunch times after church on Sundays. Prayers for Joyce and family. We love you!

So sad to hear this news about Gene.  He was always a big part of our PHS Class of 63 and we will miss his laughter and his way to pick on all of us.  Joyce, I am praying for you and your family during this time.

Dear Joyce my condolences to you & your family from the very first time I met you &Gene it was a pleasure to be around the both of you,the whole time Bruce was at Furman& after you both were the same genuine. good people my God continue to hold & keep you            Mary Alice Evans

Dear Joyce, Todd and Sloan,
I just heard the news of Gene's passing. Many condolences to you'all. Gene, was loved by all who knew him. I had the pleasure of working with him for several years. Gene brought a positive brightness everyday. May God bring you comfort and continued blessings. Gene will be remembered for the joy and humor and his knowledge he brought to so many lives.
Ed Long

So sorry to hear Joyce.  Yall were a joy during my time at Furman.

Joyce, Todd and Sloan,

I was so grieved to hear of Gene's passing. One of so many who were honored to call him friend, I also was one of a smaller number who had the dubious honor of working alongside him, pulled into that Gene Hawkins vortex of brilliant insanity. (You're smiling right now because you know exactly what I'm talking about. ;) ) Our friendship was born in laughter and marked by hilarity. The world and our lives will be the poorer for his absence.



"Bless the Space Between Us" - John O'Donohue

When you lose someone you love,
Your life becomes strange.
The ground beneath you gets fragile.
Your thoughts make your eyes unsure
and some empty echo drags your voice
down where words are not enough.

Your heart grows heavy with loss;
And though this loss has wounded others too,
No one knows exactly what has been taken from you
when the silence of absence deepens.

It becomes hard to trust life.
All one can depend on now is that
Sorrow will remain faithful to itself.
More than you it knows it's way
and will find the right time
to pull and pull the rope of grief until
that coiled hill of tears has reduced to
the last drop.

But gradually, you will learn acquaintance
with that invisible form of your departed;
And when the work of grief is done,
The wound of loss will heal
and you will have learned
to wean your eyes from that gap in the air,
and be able to enter the hearth
in your soul where your loved one
has awaited your return
all this time.
___________________________________

To You and yours...

May you allow the wild beauty of the
invisible world to gather you,
mind you, and embrace you in belonging.

May you sense around you the secret Elsewhere
where the presences that have left you dwell.
That absence is always alive with hidden presence.

May the Angel of Healing turn your wounds
into sources of refreshment.

As Spring gently softens the Earth,

May your Winter places be kissed by Light.

- John O'Donohue

Holding you in our hearts,

- David & Dana Longley

Dear Joyce, Todd & Sloan,
I'm heartbroken to see this sad news.  Gene became a genuine friend to me when we worked together at Channel 4.  He remained a faithful friend over the years as we continued to work together on different projects.  He loved the Lord and he adored each of you.  Please know I will be praying for you now and in the days ahead.  
Much love,
Susan Kines

Joyce, Todd, and Sloan

Bruce Evans just sent me a message with the sad news of Gene’s passing...Katie, Michael, and I want to express our condolences...Gene was a wonderful caring man and he and Joyce never failed to help my family with anything we might have needed during those times at Furman...we will keep all of you in our prayers

Jimmy Gaffney

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.