George Aubrey Hawes Jr.

1942 - 2023

George Aubrey Hawes Jr.

June 6, 1942 - January 17, 2023

George Aubrey Hawes Jr. of Roanoke, Va., died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.

George was born on June 6, 1942, in Charlotte, N.C., to Dr. George Aubrey Hawes and Thelma Wooten Hawes.

George graduated from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C. in 1960, where he was a member of the swim team. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in chemistry and minors in biology and religion. While at Vanderbilt, he served as the chaplain and president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu. He met his future wife, Sandra Southard Scott of Spartanburg, S.C., while they were both students at Vanderbilt and they were married in 1966. Last August, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

After college, George entered the management training program at Sears Roebuck in Charlotte and worked for the company for 22 years in Charlotte, Atlanta, Rocky Mount, and Roanoke. After leaving Sears, he worked with two restoration contractors in sales in the Roanoke area.

George loved playing golf and surf fishing at Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Church and taught adult Sunday school classes for over 50 years. He was active in the scout ministry at Cave Spring United Methodist Church where he served in several leadership positions. He regularly donated blood to the Red Cross giving over 160 pints in his lifetime. George honorably served his country for six years through the Air National Guard of North Carolina.

George and Sandra shared a love of traveling and visited many places in the United States, Europe and Africa. Many wonderful memories were made, with their children and grandchildren, at their mountain home in Banner Elk, N.C.

George is survived by his wife, Sandra, and their two sons, George Aubrey Hawes III (Jennie) of Charlotte and Scott Bradford Hawes (Karen) of Nashville. He had six grandchildren, George Hawes IV, Michael Hawes, Oliver Hawes, Cecilia Hawes, Camille Hawes and Thomas Hawes. He is also survived by his younger sister, Laura Welton (Scott) of Charlotte. George cherished spending time with his family.

The family greatly appreciates the care and services that were provided by Gentle Shepherd Hospice.

A service to celebrate George's life will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Cave Spring United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors at 10 a.m. in the church before the service. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cave Spring United Methodist Church, 4505 Hazel Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.

Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service, South Chapel, 4257 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke, VA 24018 (540) 989-3131.