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To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord! Heaven will have an Awesome heavenly choir, singing, dancing and praising! “I’m Going Away” reminds me [of] when my mother was called to glory, and left here in my arms. I cry tears of Joy now because as I have grown stronger in the Lord, I understand God’s divine time propose and season. Bishop Hawkins, rest good faithful servant.–Denise Reeves

To the family of Bishop Walter Hawkins…Your family member leaves a legacy of gospel music that will continue to be sung in our churches all over the United States. He will forever be remembered. May God continue to bless you.–Tammy M. Roberts

I am deeply hurt that he left here much too soon!!! I have always been awestruck with his musical ministry and legacy. I love his music and ministry so very dearly. I have left all kinds of words of tribute on FB and I’m honored to share these words to express my deep, heart felt sadness and sorrow and losing our Bishop Hawkins. I did not realize how much of his music I owned until I went and looked on my iTunes Library. I went all the way back to “Love Alive” 1, 2,3, 4, and 5!!! I have them all! Not to mention The Hawkins Family album featuring: “What is This?” and “Love is God.” He was so completely innovative, his work with Maurice White of Earth, Wind, and Fire – “We Can Touch The World” and touch the world he did!!! I sing so many of his songs, from “Thank You,” to Tramaine’s, “Changed,” “Marvelous,” “The Just Shall Live,” “Solid Rock” and so many, many more!!!

I recall the first time I laid eyes on him in concert, it was in KCMO at the Ivanhoe Temple! They sang: “Changed,” “Jesus Christ is The Way,” and so many more. After they sang “Changed,” the anointing fell on the whole place and I was crying and weeping in praise before God. When Lynette sang, “No one knows like I know how hard I try and still make a mess of my life…I need Your Spirit, my Brother Bishop Thomas McAdams, just “went off”!!! We could not believe how this song captured the depths of what we were experiencing at the time. We cried, wept, and laughed together in the Spirit as we felt the move of God! Another time Walter came back with his family and they sang in an open air concert!!! It was the first time I saw him play the organ…I was so blessed!!!

I love Walter sooooo much. I love Edwin too. He let me take picture with him many years ago at a concert in Newark NJ. In fact, I stayed around to get autographs of Walter and Tramaine and they were so gracious. I know they were tired they had just sung and ministered a very long time on stage. We heard all our favorites and they all took the time after the concert to talk to all of us and autograph my pics, which I still have to this day!!!

All My Love and Prayers go out to the Hawkins Family, Lynette Hawkins Stephens, Tramaine Hawkins. I pray for Trystan and Jamie as well. Also Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin, and all who ministered so closely with Bishop Walter Hawkins. We Love You Much…–Apostle Isiah Lewis, Jr.

God truly used Bishop Walter Hawkins to minister to me in song with “Marvelous.” It truly expressed how I felt after I gave my life to Christ and experienced deliverance. He was a great man of God and will truly be missed. May God comfort and keep you during your time of bereavement.Alexis

I grew up listening to The Hawkins Family music, and it really touched me. l will miss him [even though] l did not know him, but he was the best. R.I.P.–Laketha Glenn

I remember when my grandmother died … my mom and I sat in her living room and I pulled out “I’m Going Away” and played it. That song gave us so much comfort! To this day, I play that song when someone passes to remind me-–they are going to a better place. I will play that song tonight for Bishop Hawkins!–D. Beckton

My condolences to the family and friends. Growing up in my father’s house we were not allowed to listen to any secular music. It was alright with me, because we had all of the “Love Alive” albums. My sister and I used to challenge each other with all his songs in singing contests. As I remember those days, I didn’t know then how the memory of those songs would later lift me out of some of the darkest times of my life. I didn’t feel too slighted not being able to listen to secular music, because I didn’t think it compared to the Gospel songs of Walter Hawkins. I will truly miss him and his music will long live love alive in my heart and the hearts of millions.–Angela Cunningham

R.I.P. Pastor Hawkins. Yow will surely be missed in the Gospel world, and may God bless the entire Hawkins family in the loss of their loved one.–bjustice

My prayers are with the family of the late Walter Hawkins.  The music at my wedding 31 years ago consisted mostly of songs from the “Love Alive” album. He was a great asset to the Christian music industry and will be remembered dearly.Marcia K. Wells

I was so sad to hear the news of this great singer passing away. My sisters and I grew up singing and loving the Hawkins family songs, I will keep the family in my prayers.Mrs. Gray

So many songs that come to mind, but the first time I heard “Marvelous,” I don’t even have the words to explain how it makes me feel. It makes me want to cry, talk in tongues, give God praise; it puts you into a place of worship. I thank God that Walter Hawkins let God use him to minister to us in song.Dinah Brown

As I received a text stating the passing of this great legend, I was shocked and amazed. I will forever love the rich sound of Bishop Walter Hawkins voice and the tremendous contributions he lent to the Gospel Music Industry. I remember singing on stage with these legends in Philadelphia in my teen years with my church choir, at the Walnut Street Theater. I will always remember that moment as it was the beginning of my interest in the Gospel circuit. Be encouraged Hawkins family, to you he’s family, to us he’s a legend. God Bless…Evangelist Karen C. Darby

The man was a Genius. He will be sadly missed. He was unique in every way.Delores Stringer

CLICK HERE TO LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS AND CONDOLENCES FOR THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF WALTER HAWKINS.

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