A Celebration of Life for Mr. Johnny Lee Dawkins will be held, Monday, December 23, 2024, 1pm, at Smith Grove AME Zion Church, 6550 Carr Street, Columbus, GA, 31907. Visitation for Mr. Dawkins will be on Sunday, December 22, 2024, 4-6pm. Interment will be held at Green Acres Cemetery, 1485 Schatulga Road, Columbus, GA. Mr. Dawkins transitioned on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Mr. Johnny Lee Dawkins, 92 was born June 22, 1932 in Columbus, GA to the late Mrs. Minnie Dawkins-Thomas and Mr. Charley Jones. Johnny transitioned to his heavenly home on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at The Haven at Columbus Assisted Living facility, 8301 Franciscan Woods Dr., Columbus, GA.
Johnny was educated in the public school system of Muscogee County. He attended the historic Claflin School in 1950. Upon graduation he worked for the L B McMath Plastering Co., Columbus, GA and then enlisted in the United States Army from 1951-1955. He did active duty in Korea and received Korean Service Medal w/3 Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Nat Defense Service Medal and the ROK Pres Unit Cit. DA GO 43 June 1952. He was honorable discharge as Sergeant in February, 1955.
He returned home and worked first, for Welch-Pound construction company and he remained with the Pound Construction Company for 67 years. After retiring he enjoyed fishing, gardening and reading. He read his newspaper up until his death.
Johnny was a man of God and had a lifelong love for serving. He was a member of Smith Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and when his brother was alive, they both enjoyed attending Sunday School at Smith Grove.
Johnny enjoyed visiting his daughter, Beverly first in Chapel Hill, NC and then in Little Rock, Arkansas. He would never fly but always rode the Greyhound Bus until his daughter insisted he couldn’t any longer, she would come and get him and they would journey back to Little Rock.
Mr. Dawkins was preceded in death by his mother, Mrs. Minne Thomas and his son-in-law, Mr. Lascelles Lyn-Cook, Sr. Three favorite aunts, Mrs. Lille Adams, Mrs. Daisy Freemen, and Mrs. Mattie Page and uncles, Mr. Mercy Dawkins, Mr. Haywood Dawkins, Jr., Mr. Bradley Dawkins and Mr. Favor Dawkins.
Johnny leaves to mourn his devoted daughters, Dr. Beverly Dawkins Lyn-Cook and Mrs. Shirley Dawkins Davis (Gaines) who faithfully cared and supported him throughout his life. One dedicated grandson, Mr. Lascelles Lyn-Cook, Jr. and other cousins and friends.