Born August 23rd, 1939 in Marion Alabama to Rosie and Clemon Hawkins Sr., Joe moved to Fort Wayne, IN during the 1960’s where he later met his wife, Angela Hawkins(Bassett) of Fort Wayne, IN. He worked at Dalton Manufacturing as a press operator for 35 years, where he later retired from. He was also a member of the Pilgrim Baptist Church male chorus. He loved fishing, gardening and spending time with family

Joe has 4 children: Marcellious Tyrone Hawkins, Salonda Nicole Hawkins, Lavon Unique Hawkins-Brown, Darelle Lewis Hawkins (wife-Tiffany Hawkins) and a special fur baby, Pandora Hawkins.

He also has 12 grandchildren & 1 great-grandchild as well as a host of nieces & nephews. 

His deceased siblings are: John Hawkins (brother), Gene Hawkins (brother), Charles Hawkins (brother), William Hawkins (brother), Annie May Hawkins- Walker(sister), Dorothy May Hawkins- Sewell (sister), Mildred Hawkins-Sanders (sister), Louise Hawkins-Ford (sister), and Bertha Hawkins-Moore (sister)

Joe's living siblings are his brothers : David Hawkins (of Georgia) & Clemon Hawkins Jr. (of California) and his sisters:  Delores Billingsley (of Alabama), Rosie Collins (of New York) & Mary Hawkins (of Illinois). 

His deceased parents were his mother - Rosie L Hawkins & father - Clemon Hawkins.