ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — Mr. Ned Holland Dawkins, 89, of Rockingham, died on Monday, June 9, 2014 at his home.

He was born on Jan. 27, 1925, in Rockingham, to the late William Buck Dawkins and Florence Easterling Dawkins. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

He was a member of Green Lake United Methodist Church all of his life and was active in many ministries of the church. Mr. Dawkins proudly served in the United States Army Air Force in World War II. He returned home and farmed then began a 30-year career as a United States city letter carrier with the Rockingham Post Office. After retirement, he was active in the Civitan Club, farming, traveling with his wife and doing historical and genealogical research for family, church and Ledbetter community. He organized his research into four different books.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son; brothers, Perry, Bruce, Roy, Carl and Ray; and sisters, Mattie King, Mary Grace Hackney and Josie Hall.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Ernestine Frye Dawkins; daughters, Lois Goodson and husband Bob of Conover, N.C., Joy Austin of Rockingham and Donna Stephen and husband Tony of Raleigh; five grandchildren: Michelle Goodson of Alexandria, Va., Vicki Morgan Melton and husband David of Rockingham, Amber Goodson Guffey and husband Erin of Boone, N.C., Lisa Austin O'Neal and husband Matt of Rockingham and Steven Austin of Hoboken, N.J.; one brother, Maurice Dawkins of Rockingham; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Green Lake United Methodist Church, 623 Green Lake Road, Rockingham.

Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Green Lake United Methodist Church with the Rev. William Taylor officiating. Interment will follow with military honors in the church cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Green Lake United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 215 Clearfield Road, Rockingham, NC 28379.

Watson–King Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the Dawkins family.

Condolences may be sent to www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com.

Paid obituary

The Richmond County Daily Journal

Wednesday, June 11, 2014