Clyde Robert Hawkins

Rev. Clyde Robert Hawkins, age 80, entered into his eternal home on Friday, December 6, 2019 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Clyde was born on July 12, 1939 to William Gaither Hawkins and Mattie Felts Hawkins. He and his brother Fred grew up in Elkin, North Carolina. While still in elementary school, Clyde met Belvin Louise Adams, who became his childhood sweetheart and later his wife when they wed on July 11, 1959. Clyde soon felt God’s call to ministry. He was licensed to preach on October 20, 1963, and ordained into the ministry on May 9, 1965. Clyde graduated from Fruitland Bible Institute in Hendersonville, NC in 1967. A long ministry career began close to home when Clyde was called to pastor West Elkin Baptist Church in 1965. His pastorate moved to Hebron Baptist Church in Statesville, NC from 1972 to 1974. Centerview Baptist Church in Kannapolis, NC welcomed the Hawkins family in 1974. One of the highlights of Clyde’s career was the Kannapolis Crusade for Christ. He worked tirelessly to organize this event in 1979 where 4000 were in attendance at the first service. Clyde had the honor to preach each night, with many decisions for Christ being made. God next called Clyde to pastor Sandy Ridge Baptist Church in Monroe, NC in 1987. He led the church until 2002, when he retired from full-time ministry. He next accepted a call to serve as the Associate Director of Missions for the Union Baptist Association (UBA). Another highlight of Clyde’s career was that of establishing the Monroe Campus of his alma mater, Fruitland Baptist Bible College, to provide seminary classes to the Association. Clyde retired from UBA in 2012. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years, Belvin Louise Adams Hawkins of Monroe; his son, Neil Hawkins and wife, Ashley of Monroe, North Carolina. There are two grandchildren, Joshua Hawkins and wife Katie of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Lauren Hawkins, of Monroe, North Carolina. Clyde was predeceased by his parents, brother, and a daughter, Joy Louise Hawkins. A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 6:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Monroe, North Carolina with the greeting of family and friends immediately following the service. The committal service will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The family wishes to thank Brookdale Memory Care, Lake Park Nursing and Rehabilitation, as well as Hospice & Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region for the loving care provided to Clyde during his illness. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Clyde to one of the following organizations: Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 2518 Lancaster Hwy, Monroe, NC 28112; Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), or the Spina Bifida Association (www.spinabifidaassociation.org). Online condolences may be made to www.gordondfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Hawkins family.