Roy L. Hawkins, Jr., finished his earthly journey May 23, 2021 surrounded by loving family.  He was born August 20, 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee to Roy and Erma Hawkins.  He is survived by his faithful wife of 54 years, Peggy, his son Dennis (Holly) and two grandchildren he adored Carter (13) and Henry (6).  He also leaves two sisters Betty Peel (78) and Joan Elmore (77).

Roy (Butch) was a proud Eagle Scout and graduated from Treadwell High School in 1965 and then attended Memphis State University.  He began work and found an interest in computers while employed at Memphis Light Gas & Water.  He and Peggy then adopted their son and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where he worked at Jacuzzi Brothers.  A new company then hired Roy where his love of computer systems and programming flourished.  Roy worked at Federal Express for 32 years.  During that tenure Roy was a part of numerous teams that were on the cutting edge of personal computing and automated logistics for Fed Ex's customers.  Some of Roy's finest moments and most fun adventures were while he worked at FedEx.  Travels to Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, France, and too many domestic destinations to count were all a great joy to him.  Near the end of his career he was able to spend several months in Alaska.  His wife and son were able to spend many memorable weeks with him catching salmon and halibut.  The family hiked on a glacier and experienced Denali in all its glory.

Perhaps no place spoke to Roy as much as home, though.  He loved that his roots were firmly based in North Mississippi and the Delta.  The son of a family of sharecroppers, Roy was proud of how hard his parents and grandparents worked and he lived out that work ethic his entire life.  He was a faithful Christian and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and mentor to so many.  He will be greatly missed but we all can take comfort in knowing he is in the loving arms of his heavenly family and Savior.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Midsouth Eye Bank, 3144 Stage Post Dr., Suite 116, Bartlett, TN 38133 or advancingsight.org/mseb/ or the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home at tennesseechildren.org.