THOMAS HAWKINS SR.

Thomas Hawkins Sr., 85, of Texarkana, Ark., died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, in a local hospital. <br />Mr. Hawkins was born Oct. 12, 1924, in Mandeville, Ark. He was a retired mail handler with the Postal Service and a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church. <br />Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Hawkins of Texarkana; two sons, Wesley Hawkins Sr. of Mansfield, La., and Thomas Hawkins Jr. of Chicago; two daughters, Bettye Samuels of Paris, Texas, and Allene Norman of Columbia, Mo.; one sister, Velma Barnett of Vallejo, Calif.; and one sister-in-law, Juanita Bankers of Texarkana. <br />Closed-casket services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Park Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Londell Williams officiating. Burial will be in East Memorial Gardens under direction of Lyles Funeral Home. <br />Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. <br /> <br />