Virginia Merritt Hawkins, 89, of 1001 Wildewood Downs Circle, Columbia, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, December 4, 2012.

Born in Anderson County, she was the daughter of the late J. T. and Lily Allison Merritt of Greenville.

Mrs. Hawkins was a graduate of Furman University. She was the wife of Dr. B. F. Hawkins, a Baptist Minister, who faithfully served at her husband's side in his many places of leadership in the SC Baptist Convention throughout the state of South Carolina. She was also a kindergarten teacher and a preschool leader for the SC Baptist Convention. In her church and community over the years she held many places of responsibility including past president of the Minister's Wives Association of Greenville.

Her husband of 66 years predeceased her. She is survived by her children, a son Dr. Benjamin Merritt Hawkins (Linda) of Holly Springs, NC, a daughter Betty "BJ" Willoughby (Mitchell) of Columbia; five grandchildren, Lauren Willoughby Barnwell (Matt) of Spartanburg, Dr. Kathryn Willoughby of Charleston, Kristen Willoughby Fox (Brian) of Atlanta, GA, Josh Willoughby of Charlotte, NC and Ashley Hawkins of Raleigh, NC; and two great grandsons, Tyson Graham Barnwell and Luke Gavin Barnwell of Spartanburg.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 7, 2012 at 1:00pm in the Chapel of The Mackey Mortuary. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Friday one hour prior to the service at the mortuary.

Deepest appreciation from the family is expressed to the nurses and staff of Wildewood Downs Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care of our Mom.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center, Laurens, SC.