Buddy Hawes

John Albert "Buddy" Hawes, Jr., age 71, received his eternal reward surrounded by his family that he loved so on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, Alabama. Buddy was born on January 30, 1955, to the late John Albert Hawes and Tommie Evelyn Ray Hawes in Starkville, Mississippi. Buddy was a houseparent for the Baptist Children's Village where he worked alongside his wife, Debbie for roughly seventeen years. Prior to that, most remember Buddy as a parts salesman for Jim's Auto Parts in Eupora, Mississippi. Buddy loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and served the Lord faithfully until the completion of his race here on earth. The love Buddy also had for his loving wife, Debbie, their four children, grands and great grands was unmatched. He loved to sing gospel music and was even the music leader for many years for the West Eupora Church of God, he also enjoyed his family immensely whether thru watching the grands play sports or just spending time with them at home. He enjoyed seeing his children and grands exceed in life and was always a huge supporter of them. Buddy is survived by his loving wife of fifty-one years, Deborah "Debbie" Jean James Hawes; two daughters, Shelby (Chad) Garrard and Rachel (Guy) Barnett; two sons, Eric (Leslie) Hawes and Mykel (Alyssa) Hawes all of Eupora, Mississippi; fourteen grandchildren, Erica (Paul) Kendrick, Emily (Tanner) Havens, Hagen (Derek) Jones, Hartley (Casey) Miller, Hank (Lindsey) Files, MacKenzy (Chance) Amason, Ian (Alexis) Garrard, Landon Garrard, Noah Barnett, Trey (Callie) Bright, Caleigh Hawes, Karlie Hawes, Zoey Hawes and Ryker Hawes; eighteen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; one sister, Janice (Horace) Fason of Grenada, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Kelly Hawes of Starkville, Mississippi and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends. Funeral Services will be held for Buddy at 11:00AM on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Eupora, Mississippi. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at Oliver Funeral Home. There will be no Visitation prior to the services on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at First Baptist Church. Following the services, Buddy's body will be cremated as he wished. In lieu of flowers the family requests that all memorials be made to Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes (Formerly JDRF) at P.O. Box 5021, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5021 or the Baptist Children's Village at P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Hawes family.