Michael "Mike" Hawkins

Michael Hawkins, beloved by all who had the good fortune to meet him, died on Saturday, September 2, 2017. Over and over, people use one word to describe Mike: the best. Everyone who knew Mike agrees that he was the most decent man you could ever know. We are all lucky to have had him as a major part of our lives and to be loved by one of the best people we’ve ever known.Mike was a life-long citizen of Georgia, raised in Atlanta. He graduated from the University of Georgia and exuberantly cheered the Dawgs at all times. He was not just a fair-weather fan. No matter what he loved his Bulldogs and enjoyed nothing more than trash talking during football season. He was looking forward with great anticipation to traveling this weekend to South Bend to see the Bulldogs beat Notre Dame. Mike met Elizabeth when they were both managers at Pike Family Nurseries. For the past seven years, Mike has been a manager of The Family Tree Garden Center in Snellville, Georgia. He loved the Pike family and considered Pete Pike one of his very best friends. He was highly regarded among garden center and horticultural friends as well as customers. Mike was a gifted landscape designer and greenhouse manager. His knowledge, integrity, diligence, and sense of humor made him a wonderful co-worker. He could be seen constantly striding around the store taking care of whatever business was at hand and still making each customer or coworker feel that he was totally concentrated on them. Mike loved his family, and they knew it. He wore his heart on his sleeve so you always knew where he stood. And, most important, you always knew he was on your side. At the annual family beach vacation, Mike would lie for hours in the shallow waves and let the grandchildren pour sand and water all over him and then give them a popsicle and be their chief conspirator for innocent naughtiness. Mike stepped into vacuums left by others and his calm strength of character made him a hero to several who needed one. His family looked to him as the one who was always steadfast, always selfless, always ready.When Mike called you friend, you knew he meant it. Mike always thought the best of everyone. It never occurred to him to think or say anything negative about anyone. (Except for the mo-rons on the road in front of him). He had such an open heart that he would sit down and truly listen to you talk and genuinely find it interesting. He had a natural curiosity, and a complete lack of envy. He never asked if he could help – he just saw what needed to be done and did it. Mike was devout in his faith. He was dealt some challenges that most of us will never face. He trusted God throughout. He made sure that the way he lived his life reflected his belief that he must be an example of a man of God to others. Mike’s nephew said, “I feel sorry for everyone that never got the chance to meet this incredible man because he is a rare gem of a human being.” Mike’s untimely passing has left us brokenhearted.He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Elizabeth; the joys of his life, his daughters, Kerri Hawkins Bernhardt and Lauren Hawkins; the pride of his life, his son, Dale Michael Hawkins; the delights of his life, his grandsons, Mason and Carter Bernhardt; the hero of his life, his father, Buddy Hawkins; the companion of his life, his brother, Dave Hawkins; as well as his sister-in-law Amy Hawkins, niece Jessica Hawkins, and son-in-law Nate Bernhardt. Also important to Mike were Wendell Greene and his children Lynn Holcomb, Susan Askey, Thomas Greene and their families. Mike’s first wife, Pam Pidgeon, ensured his loving relationship with their daughter. Mike also is survived by Elizabeth’s mother, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews who consider Mike one of their own.The Service to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Mike Hawkins will be held Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 4:00PM, Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, Snellville, GA. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM, and again on Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 3:00PM until service time. For those desiring to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers, you may make one to the National Incarceration Association at https://joinnia.com . The family invites you to wear red and black attire in honor of Mike’s love for the Georgia Bulldogs. “Go Dawgs!”Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, A Family Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.Read Obituary