RINCON, Ga. - Dr. Joel Timothy Hawkins died peacefully at the St. Francis Hospital in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, February 7, at the age of 73. Joel is survived by three children: Rev. Tim Hawkins of Fort Myers, Florida, Phebe Simons Hawkins of Greenville, South Carolina, and Timon Hawkins of Rincon, Georgia, along with three siblings: Tommy Hawkins of Nashville, TN, Michael Hawkins of Shelby, NC, and Yvonne Hawkins Blanton of Blacksburg, SC, and seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Jackie Hawkins of Augusta, Georgia. Joel T. Hawkins was born on January 18, 1943, in Darlington, South Carolina, to the parents of John T. and Mildred Hawkins. He graduated from Holmes High School in 1961. He later joined the U.S. Army in 1964 where he was trained as a sharpshooter in the Military Police. He also served in the National Guard. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1969 upon entering the Gospel ministry. Dr. Joel T. Hawkins served as a gospel minister for over 47 years. He was ordained as a Baptist Minister in 1979. He held pastorates in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Toccoa, Georgia, and pastored the Southgate Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia for 11 years upon his retirement. Dr. Hawkins was a dedicated teacher of the Word of God. He held graduate degrees from Holmes Bible College, Augusta Technical College, an earned Doctor of Theology degree from Carolina University of Theology, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Victory Baptist College, where he served as a teacher and Executive Vice-President from 1990 until 1997. The family is receiving friends on Thursday, February 11 from 5-7:30pm at the Elliott Sons Funeral Home on Columbia Rd. in Martinez. A funeral service is planned for Friday, February 12 at 2:00pm at the Providence Baptist Church in Augusta, GA. Officiants will be Dr. Don Prosser and Dr. Larry Brown. Dr. Joel T. Hawkins will be buried at the Westview Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia awaiting resurrection day!