George Vester Hawthorne

George Vester Hawthorne began his journey of life on December 4, 1933 in Gurdon, Arkansas when he became the son of Ollie and Sallie Carbin Hawthorne. George accepted Christ at an early age. He attended First Memorial Church Of God In Christ. He was a former employee of Cabe Lumber Company. He later retired after 35 years of service from International Paper Company where he worked as a boiler He married the apple of his eye Flozell Coleman and the Lord blessed and added to their union eight beautiful children. George was a hard worker who provided for his family. His favorite pastime was being with his family and fishing, anywhere anytime. As he approached his final hours on Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas with his family at his side to bid him a safe journey, he answered the call that no man can refuse. He was welcomed home by his wife, Flozell Hawthorne who made her transition on April 15, 2005, his parents, one daughter, Elverlean Gatlin, five sisters and two brothers. He never met a stranger and during all of his 75 seasons, he made friends across every race, gender, faith and creed. George leaves to celebrate and honor his life’s journey: six sons, Paul Gatlin, Ricky (LaDonna)Williams, Stacy (Melissa) Hawthorne and Gavin (Kathy) Hawthorne, all of Gurdon, George (Carolyn) Hawthorne of Prescott, Tracy (Barbara) Hawthorne of Arkadelphia, and two daughters, Beverly Glenn and Tenya Beaty of Gurdon; one brother, David (Ruth) Hawthorne of Arkadelphia and two sisters, Burnita Hawthorne of Arkadelphia and Naomi Samuels of Joliet, Illinois, He also leaves his loving twenty five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and numerous friends. Mr. Hawthorne will lie in state on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and the family will greet friends and share with them the images of Life DVD on from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A Celebration in honor of his life will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Kingdom Authority Christian Ministries in Gurdon, Akransas, where Rev. Quintin Radford is the pastor. Elder Chester Micthell the pastor of First Memorial C.O.G.I.C will preach the celebration message. The Committal Service and final resting place will be at Greenville Cemetery in Gurdon, Arkansas. Bearers of the casket will be close friends of the family.