Donald R. Hawthorne

 Donald Ray Hawthorne, 71, of Waynesboro, Mississippi, died Monday, September 8, 2025 at Wayne General Hospital, Waynesboro.

Donald was born January 24, 1954 in Pensacola, Florida, the son of James Davis “J.D.” and Clara E. (Mixon) Hawthorne.

Don is survived by two sons, Cedric (Bessie Short) Hawthorne, of Monmouth, Illinois and DeMarco Hawthorne; six sisters, Milean Davis of Georgia, Patricia (James Blackwell) Daniels of Galesburg, Illinois, Annette Merriell of Lansing, Michigan, Sharon Hawthorne of Galesburg, Olivia Hawthorne of Saginaw, Michigan, and Gwen Donaldson of Georgia; and three brothers, Calvin Hawthorne of Mississippi, Kelvin Hawthorne of Texas, and William Hawthorne of Galesburg; five grandchildren, Alicia, Cedric, Jr., Makalya, Kelci, and Laney two great grandchildren, Tristan and Zaylen; two sisters in law, Maria Hawthorne and Frances Hawthorne; nieces, nephews, and many friends. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Tiria, and one brother, James Hawthorne.

Donald served in the US Army from November 10, 1972 until May 29, 1975. Following his honorable discharge, he worked several years at the Rock Island Arsenal. He was a jack of all trades and could fix just about anything and enjoyed tinkering around the house. He was an avid fisherman and member of New Light Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Mississippi.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Robert Donaldson will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Knox County Honor Guard following funeral services. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral with private family burial of cremated remains at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family or to a charity of the donor’s choosing. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.

The attached link is the livestream of Don's funeral service: https://player.memoryshare.com/video/donaldr-hawthorne-galesburg-il