Jimmy Dawkins

James Ray “Jimmy” Dawkins, 65, of West Columbia, and most recently at Lakeview Retirement Community in Columbia, where he was a charter member,  died Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Hospice House of Lexington.

Born on June 13, 1957, in Prosperity, he was a son of Allene Wise Dawkins and the late James Lee Dawkins.  He was a 1975 graduate of Mid Carolina High School.  He graduated with an associate degree in computer programming from Midlands Technical College and then attended USC Spartanburg where he obtained a bachelor degree in business management.  Jimmy began his working career with the SC Department of Mental Health in 1977 and in 1979 he moved to USC Spartanburg where he was in charge of the computer room. In 1988 he began a career with the SC Department of Revenue as a programmer/analyst from which he retired in 2018.

Following the introduction of Palmetto Health Hospice at a AARP meeting, he began a lengthy service  of over 30 years as a volunteer. During his time he served with the clown ministry as Homer the Hobo, Brett’s Rainbow, Social Chair, Patient Care and in Administrative Services.  As a volunteer he helped provide support and companionship to terminally ill patients and their families. He was quoted as saying “being a hospice volunteer has been the most influential experience of my life.”

Volunteerism was a major part of his life not just with hospice but with every aspect of his life.  He assisted many with transportation to appointments, ladies with nail appointments and to the grocery store just to name a few. He volunteered at Leeza’s Care Connection.

During his lifetime he enjoyed many travel adventures across the country.  Jimmy enjoyed theatre and served as an usher at the Township Auditorium.

Jimmy was a member of Washington Street United Methodist Church of Columbia.

He is survived in addition to his mother, Allene Dawkins by a brother, Wade S. (Tiffany) Dawkins of Prosperity; a sister, Renae D. (Ken) Long of Little Mountain; nieces and nephews, Hillary L. (Josh) Barrow, Zach (Ashley) Long, Lane Moore, Jordan Moore and Preston Lee Dawkins and great niece and great nephews, Keaton Barrow, Cohen Barrow, Carter Anne Long and Lawson Long.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Grace Lutheran Church by the Rev. Jane Mitchum and the Rev. Alston Lippert.  Burial will follow in Colony Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to the Washington Street United Methodist Church Soup Cellar, 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or to the Community Service Fund at Grace Lutheran Church, PO Box 188, Prosperity, SC 29127 or the charity of one’s choice helping the needy and hungry.

Active pallbearers will be Zach Long, Josh Barrow, Lane Moore, Preston Lee Dawkins, Chris Wise, Jamie Wise, George Dawkins and John David Dawkins.

The family would like to thank all caregivers at Lexington Community Hospice House, Dr. Stephen Madden and staff at Lexington Oncology Associates, Dr. Nehal Desai, Lake Murray Drug Company, Jimmy's Sarcoma care team at MUSC, and numerous others who have provided loving care and support over the years.