Thomas Avery Hawkins, 78, a native of Brevard, passed away Friday, September 1, 2017 after a 23 year battle with kidney cancer. He was the son of the late James Lamar and Kathleen Poor Hawkins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers John Herbert Hawkins and Terry Glenn Hawkins and a dear and faithful friend of over 70 years, Bascom H. Plummer. Tom graduated from Brevard High School in 1956 and from Brevard College in 1958. He received his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from Western Carolina University in 1970 while working full-time for DuPont. He served in the U. S. Army from 1962 to 1964 and was employed by E.I. DuPont for 33 years. Tom is survived by his companion and wife of 47 years, Hazel McCormick Hawkins; brother, James E. Hawkins and wife Linda; brother–in–law John C. McCormick; sister-in–law Deana G. Hawkins; aunt, Mary Nell Poor; uncles, L. C. Poor and wife Hicks and George Poor and wife Joyce; several much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom had too many well-loved friends to name here, including many of Hazel's relatives. All were a blessing to him. Tom was very fond of his 1956 classmates and a special teacher, Carolyn Winchester, as well as Hazel's class of 1961 and other Brevard high friends. These classmates showed him loving attention during his last illness, as did some of his co-workers from DuPont. Two special Army friends of over 50 years, Dan Kinney and Ken McMillan, survive him as well. He was a member of Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, and he also attended and supported Etowah Presbyterian Church for over 25 years. His friends at Etowah Presbyterian were generous and attentive during this and prior bouts with cancer. A service of remembrance will be held 11am, Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home with military honors conducted by the Transylvania County Honor Guard. A picnic lunch reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Davidson River Cemetery Fund, PO Box 91, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, Guatemala or House of Hope, c/o Etowah Presbyterian Church, PO Box 384, Etowah, NC 28729 or The Bread of Life, 238 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, NC 28712. Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.