Obadiah Dawkins

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." Psalms 23 Bro. Obadiah Dawkins was born on September 19, 1917 in Truxno, Louisiana the son of Raymond Sr. and Leolla Slade Dawkins. He was the eldest of son of nine children. On November 28, 1936 he met the love of his life, Deborah Newton and they were united in Holy Matrimony for 69 years. To this union, they were the parents of 14 blessed children, nine girls and five boys. Six children preceded him in death. Obadiah and Deborah enjoyed a wonderful God-filled life together until her death in 2005. He was well known through the Strong community and Central Arkansas Conference of the A.M.E. Church as a true saint who loved his church and God. Obadiah was a servant of the Lord all of his adult life. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Free Hope A.M.E. Church. He later moved to Strong in 1936 where he united with Curry Chapel A.M.E. He was a faithful member until his death. He served as an officer of the Trustee Board, Steward Board, member of curry Chapel Male Chorus and a lifelong superintendent of Sunday School for more than 50 years. He was a true patriarch of Curry Chapel that served God at all times. Obadiah touched many lives with a mild and meek nature. He was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, servant, encourager, giver and advisor. He was a decorated veteran. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1945 during World War II. His military service influenced many of the Dawkins men to serve in the military, including one great-grandson serving presently at West Point Army Academy. He departed this life on Monday, August 9, 2010 at his home in Strong, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Deborah Dawkins and a daughter. He was a member of Springhill Baptist Church in Springhill, Louisiana. Mr. Obadiah leaves to cherish his loving memories two sons, Charles Troy Dawkins and his wife Pamela and Ervin George Dawkins all of Strong, Arkansas, seven daughters Lovelee Kyle and her husband Wesley of Toledo, Ohio, Marie Kidd and Norman Brownlee and her husband James all of Conway, Arkansas, Bertha Lynn of Cleveland, Ohio, Lessie Montgomery and her husband William of Sacramento, California, Debbie Daniels of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Joyce McBride of Crossett, Arkansas; 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends. A Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Dawkins will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Curry Chapel A.M.E. Church, Strong, Arkansas at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Chestine Sims officiating. Interment will follow in the Springhill Cemetery, Oakland, Louisiana under the direction of the Sims Mortuary Staff. Visitation at the funeral home will be held on Friday, August 13, 2010. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Obadiah Dawkins, please visit our flower store.