Raymond Horley Hawkins Memorial

Raymond Horley Hawkins was born in Taylor, Texas to parents Alfred and Buella Hawkins on Christmas Day, December 1904. Classified as Negro at birth, he cried when permanently removed from all-black public school after learning how to read, write, and do math by the end of seventh grade.

He became a Jack’ of-all-trades entrepreneur particularly in farming, vehicle maintenance, and building construction. Raymond and his wife raised six daughters and two sons. He enjoyed family life and believed that worship of God and education beyond high school were invaluable. He designed and built a large residence for his family and stirred entrepreneurial ambitions in one of his sons, Benny L. Hawkins, who became an architect and owner of the BLGY Architecture firm established in 1955, known for designing public schools and diverse other public facilities.

In his early years of marriage, Raymond became closer to God. He joined a religious seminary to prepare for pastorships in Austin and several other central Texas locations. Never having forgotten his cruel seventh grade departure from education, and proud of his unfailing support for formal education for his children, he peacefully passed away among loving family on Friday, April 15,1988, still unable to understand why anyone could not understand the value of education.