SUFFOLK - Herbert "Hat" Lee Hawkins Sr., of 755 Oxford St., Suffolk, Va., died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 in Sentara Obici Hospital. He was a native of Nansemond County and the son of the late Edward Lee and Eva Wright Hawkins. He was also predeceased by his wife, Julia Mae Hawkins; and two brothers, Robert Hawkins and Charles O. Hawkins.

He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Suffolk, and retired as a heavy equipment operator from Blair Brothers.

He leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, Avis A. Hawkins, of Woodbridge, Va.; four sons, Herbert Lee Hawkins Jr., Curtis Wayne Hawkins, Stevie Donnell Hawkins Sr., and Kerry Levertis Hawkins, all of Suffolk, two grandchildren, Stephenie L. Porter and Stevie E. Hawkins Jr.; one great-grandchild, Kaemani N. Joe; one sister, Belinda Savage; two brothers, John E. Hawkins and Alphonso Hawkins; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at Crocker Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor James Butts officiating. Interment will be at Carver Memorial Cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. is handling the arrangements.