Herman LaFayette "Buddy" Dawkins

H.L. Buddy Dawkins, Sr., 85, of Biloxi, formerly of Leland, died April 22, 2011 at his home after a short illness. He was born September 24, 1925 in Birmingham, Alabama the son of Otto Charles Dawkins and Sarah Langston Dawkins. In 1936, Buddy moved to the Delta with his family where he was raised in the Presbyterian Church. Upon his graduation in 1943 from Leland High School, he joined the United States Navy. While stationed in Florida, he served as an aviation machinist. After World War II, Buddy attended Mississippi State and Delta State College. He returned to Leland and spent most of his career associated with his family’s grocery business. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, David L. Dawkins of Dallas, Texas, and his brother Harold Dawkins of Leland. Buddy is survived by his wife, Julia G. Dawkins of Biloxi; a son, H.L. Jim Dawkins, Jr. (Lottie Mae) of Greenville; his daughter, Phyllis Dawkins Edwards (Mark) of Brandon; his sister, Mary Francis Flood (Bill) of Leland; five grandchildren, Will Dawkins (Leah) of Portland, Oregon; Rob Dawkins (Paden) of Leland; Jane Marie Dawkins of Greenville; Amanda Henderson and Aaron Henderson of Brandon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leland Food Pantry in care of the Leland United Methodist Church, 202 N. Broad Street, Leland, Mississippi 38756 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2011 at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Biloxi is in charge of arrangments. -