James Melvin Hawkins

James Melvin "Mel" Hawkins was born February 5, 1948 to Aileen Brackett Hawkins and John Bryan Hawkins in Lumpkin County, Georgia, and died October 5, 2018. Mel is survived by his wife, Lynn Young, sister and brother in law Martha and Larry Doster, his nephew Jonathan Doster, all of Dahlonega, his chosen sister Brenda Cronan and chosen brother Ralph Sosebee. The family gives special thanks to his caretaker, Paulette Parks, those that provided meals and support during Mel's illness, Davis Palmour and the Lumpkin County Leads Group and Carol Williams. Mel graduated from Lumpkin County High School in 1966 where he excelled in debate, football, drama club and one act plays. He attended North Georgia College where he graduated with a BS degree and was commissioned into the U. S. Army. He was stationed for 2 years in Okinawa, Japan commanding 1st Military Police Group 96 MP Battalion. Mel also was leader of Veterans Memorial Marker Team 6. After his return to the U.S.A., he worked with Indian affairs in the State of Georgia and in Tennessee. He was involved with the Georgia Tribe of the Eastern Cherokee Indians, where Mel continued to assist in obtaining Federal recognition of the Tribe. Mel focused on the arts, which were his passion. His musical talent and writing ability took him to Nashville, TN. Mel returned to Dahlonega and pursued his music and writing. He owned Main Street Video for a number of years, and he was the executive director of the Folkways Center of the Georgia Mountains. Mel was one of the founders and co-producers of the Mountain Music and Medicine Show for 12 years, where he encouraged and supported many talented young musicians. He was best known as the "Big Man" in the White Suite and Blue Vest, where he played the radio announcer "Jedge" J. Melvin Hawkins. In 2002 he became reacquainted with the love of his life from college, M. Lynn Young. They were married November 16, 2002, spending the remainder of his life very happy and content together. They hosted many "Pickin and Grinnin" parties surrounded by friends and family. There will be a "Pickin and Grinnin" in celebration of Mel's Life at their home on October 27th, 2018 beginning at 2:00 p.m., and as he always said, "bring a dish or not, bring a guitar or not, but most of all bring yourself!" In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome to Wounded Warriors, Pick and Bow, Lumpkin County Family Connections, or Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of James Hawkins, please visit our Tribute Store.