COACH NEAL LEE HAWKINS (1949-2025)
Neal Lee Hawkins, 76, died on November 29, 2025 in Beckley, WV of complications from alzheimers.
Neal was born at home in Rhodell, WV on August 27, 1949 and was the son of Neal Booth and Emily Vaudaline (Perdue) Hawkins.
Neal was a lifelong attendee of the Midway First Church of God; former member of WVEA, the social fraternity Sigma Tau Gamma and Loyal Order of the Moose (Lodge #1606). He graduated from Sophia High School; received his BS in Education from Concord College and MA in Education from WVC.O.G.S. (Marshall University).
Coach Hawkins was a natural born athlete and coach; he lettered in basketball, baseball, and football. He truly enjoyed playing cards and Farkle, WV riverbank fishing and camping with lifelong friend and mentor, John Kerzic, on Lake Norman, NC.
Professionally he retired from the Raleigh County BoE as P.E./Health teacher/coach (22 years at Park Jr High and 16 years at Independence Middle). Wherein combined he won 4 each County boys' and girls' middle/junior high basketball tournaments (392 wins and 42 losses). Before high school graduation he worked summers for Utilities Electric Company (Charleston, SC) and the WV Governor's Summer Youth Program. During college he worked for John W Eye Furniture (Beckley) and Leggett's of Princeton. After college graduation he did summer construction with John Kerzic, Terry Poe, Wayne Anderson and Ray Austin.
Predeceasing him are his wife of 55 years, Linda K Wright Hawkins; parents; paternal grandparents John Franklin and Modena (Sanders) Hawkins, maternal grandparents Nathan Goff and Nancy Elizabeth (Farley)Perdue; and brother, Johnnie N Hawkins. His wife of 55 years, Linda K Wright Hawkins who followed him in death four days later.
He is survived by son Lee Hawkins (Susan) of Beckley, WV and daughter Kae Beaumont (Brian) of Warwick, RI; granddaughters Emma Hawkins of Beckley, WV; Kaylin and Breelyn Beaumont of Warwick, RI; step grandson Justin Smith of Beckley, WV; sisters Darleen Norton (Roger) of Midway, WV; Nancy Acord (Jerry) of Fairdale, WV; Retha Greer of xxx, TN and Sister-in-law Barbara Hawkins of Midway, WV; nephews: Brian Acord (Jennifer), Christopher Hawkins, Jason (Shelley) Acord and nieces: Sherry Canterbury, Christy Smith, Paula Samples, and Maggie Greer. Special thanks to the nurturing outpatient staff of SWV Hospice and respite care staff at Bowers House; Tracy Dillon Parks for being brave enough to take on the task of executrix and referee; Family friend and RN, Jaime Harper who volunteered her time and expertise.
The wake will be held in Melton's Mortuary on Friday, December 5, 2025 followed by a short service with Terry Poe delivering the eulogy. Cremation will follow this week.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowers Hospice House (https://www.hospiceofsouthernwv.org/donate)or the Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org/) or the First Church of God, Midway, WV