As the sun rose on Monday morning February 17, 2025, a transition from this temporary place of existence to a permanent home of praise occurred for a servant who throughout his life had looked forward to God's promise. He had learned early in life if you loved God, believed in Him, trusted Him, and served Him, you could have blessed assurance and welcome the setting sun of your mortal life.

Gerald Reggie Hawthorne was born the 25th day of July 1941 in Gulfport, Mississippi to the late Ethel and Mable Brown Hawthorne. He obtained his spiritual beginnings at Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Gulfport.

Gerald graduated from Thirty-Third High School in 1959. He was an excellent athlete. He participated in baseball, football, and track. Gerald was employed at Phillips Lumber Company for many years and retired in 2013.

Gerald learned to love and appreciate music at an early age. In high school, he played saxophone in the school band. As a young adult, he played keyboard in a local band along with the Reverand Theodore Williams and others. Just like his mother, in his younger years, he had a passion for fishing. He enjoyed a vast genre of music, food, dancing, and having a good time with friends.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marvin Sherald Hawthorne; sister, Carol Elizabeth Hawthorne; nephew, Roderic Dunlap; and partner, Betty Anne Dedeaux. His memories will be forever etched in the hearts of his daughter, Gretchen (Wesley) Connor; sister, Gwendolyn (Leon) Dunlap; brother, Richard Weir; three nephews: Keith Dunlap, Eric Montgomery, and Marcus Mann; three nieces: Karyn (Hubert) Jackson, Tamika Weir, and Erica Montgomery; a great nephew, Brian Dunlap and a great niece, Kaitlyn Jackson. Gerald was also blessed with three bonus children: LaDonna (John) Richardson, Freddie (Danita) Dedeaux, and Cassandra Dedeaux. He was also fondly known as PawPaw to a host of bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Let us NOT focus on mourning or loss, but celebrate a home going. Let us NOT say goodbye, but say bon voyage. Let us NOT question God, but praise HIM. Today, we miss his presence, but celebrate his life. We cherish his memory and seek to continue his legacy of love. We thank God for allowing us to enjoy Gerald for just a season. And on this day, we will "let not our hearts be troubled" because we are standing on the blessed hope that... "for every sorrow, there is comfort... For every sadness, there is healing...And for every loss, there is God's promise of eternal life".

Gerald had a free spirit, a jovial personality, and a captivating smile. He loved people and every person's life that he toughed seemed to love him. Gerald will truly be missed. So, lift your head high, give him a smile and celebrate his homegoing, because Gerald would have wanted it this way.