Arthur Wilkins Hawthorne Sr., 89, passed away Sunday, December 5, 2010. He was born in Provencal, Louisiana, on November 18, 1921, to James Frederick and Sallie Annie (Pharris) Hawthorne. He was the eleventh of twelve children born to this union.

"Papa" will be greatly missed by his sons, Gordon Lee Hawthorne of Milton, Delaware, and Arthur W. (Artie) Hawthorne Jr. and wife, Marguerite, of Jefferson; daughters, Jane Gail McBride of Gladewater and Gaye Nell Christy and husband Gary of Longview; grandchildren, Brian Lee Hawthorne of Oakland, California, Kendra Gale Hawthorne and Katherine Marvel Hawthorne of Milton, Delaware, Joseph Anthony Hawthorne and fiance Lindsey Dollens of White Oak, Elena Danielle Brown of Kilgore, Valerie Adelle McBride and Richard Gregory McBride of Gladewater, Cameron Claire Christy and Franklin Cole Christy of Longview; great-grandchildren, Breanna Nicole Brown and Daniel Anthony Brown of Kilgore, Jaxon Christopher Hawthorne of White Oak and K'loe Jane Cheek of Gladewater. Also surviving him is his brother, Cecil Hawthorne of Atlanta, Texas.

He served in the U. S. Army for thirty-one years prior to his retirement in 1970. His career included active duty in three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. At the time of his retirement, he was the Command Sergeant Major of the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. During his service, he was awarded many medals including the Air Medal (with Bronze and Silver Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal (with V device and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal and Purple Heart. He loved his family and was especially proud of each one of them. A resident of Jefferson for 37 years, he was a member of First Baptist Church for 40 years.

He donated his body to the Willed Body Program at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School for research. There will be no formal services. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Youth Ministry, 523 N. Polk St., Jefferson, TX 75657.

Special note by Jane Hawthorne McBride, daughter of Arthur Wilkins Hawthorne Sr. - "We received his cremains in September 2011 and we took him to Arlington National Cemetery in March 2012 for burial with full military honors.  He now lies in Section 55 lot 3055, for any who may be able and wish to visit him."