Charles Earl "Charlie" Hawkins III

1943 - 2026

Charles E Hawkins, III, February 20, 1943 - May 12, 2026

Charles Earl Hawkins, III, was born on February 20, 1943, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Charles Earl Hawkins and Colette Ellis Hawkins. After his early years in Missouri, the family relocated to Bethesda, Maryland, in 1952. His formative years were filled with purpose and activity: Boy Scouts, church youth group, and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School band, where he played trumpet and served as drum major.

Charlie went on to attend Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, where he majored in economics, was active in Army ROTC, and served as president of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha, during his senior year. It was there that he met the love of his life, Martha Youkey (Marti).

Charlie and Marti were married in June 1966. The following year, Charlie deployed to Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Upon returning home in 1968, the couple settled in Falls Church, Virginia, where Charlie launched what would become a distinguished career in association management and government relations within the aggregate industry. He rose to serve as CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors, a role that brought him into regular collaboration with members of Congress and allowed him to shape meaningful legislation. He also served as exhibit manager of the Concrete and Aggregates Trade Show (at the time the largest international trade show in the world) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Association Executives.

Beyond his professional achievements, Charlie embraced a life of civic engagement and community connection. He served as Executive Vice President of the Jefferson Islands Club, a storied sportsman's retreat on the Potomac River, and held board positions with both the Congressional Charity Tennis and Golf Tournaments. He was a proud 30-year member of the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown, where he served in numerous capacities, including committee work at the Presbytery level. He and Marti were devoted members of the Chester River Yacht and Country Club for 36 years. Charlie also served on the board of the Kent County Humane Society and was instrumental in the founding of both Home Ports and River Arts - organizations whose legacies reflect his deep commitment to the community he loved.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Marti; his son, Charles (Chad) Earl Hawkins IV (Nancy), of Fairhope, Alabama; his daughter, Jennifer Hawkins Gilliam (Bill), of Glen Allen, Virginia; three grandchildren: Campbell Elizabeth Wiles (Corban) of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Catherine Eleanor Hawkins of Lafayette, Colorado, and Nicolas Hawkins Whyte of Glen Allen, Virginia; and his sister, Cynthia Earl Hawkins Baughman, of Chestertown, Maryland.

A service to remember and celebrate his life will be held at 11am on June 13th at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown (905 Gateway Dr., Chestertown, MD).