The Management (Eddie & Jackie) Nelson and the Support staff of Nelson's Funeral Home, LLC announce the death of Mr. Christopher P. Dawkins, 50, of Ridgeway, South Carolina. 

Mr. Dawkins departed his earthly life Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina. 

Funeral services for Mr. Dawkins will be held Friday, May 4, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 330 W. Third Street, Ridgeway, SC.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.   Mr. Dawkins will be available for public viewing Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Christopher Pernell Dawkins, affectionately called “Big Dawg,” “The Mayor” and Chris was born May 27, 1967 in Winnsboro, SC to Jasper and Barbaree Belton Dawkins at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. He entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 28, 2018, in Columbia, South Carolina at the age of 50. 

Chris was educated in the public schools of Fairfield County and graduated from Winnsboro High (WHS) in 1985.  While a student at WHS, he was a bus driver and was selected to drive the bus for the special needs students.  He also participated in the marching, concert and PEP bands, where he played the tuba.  He also followed in his father’s footsteps by taking classes in brick masonry at the Fairfield County Vocational School. 

Chris attended Bethlehem Baptist Church as a youth with his mother and grandparents.  His mother made many sacrifices to make sure that Chris had everything that he needed.  After graduation, he moved to Orangeburg, South Carolina to assist his father with the management and oversight of the Seventh-Day Adventist Campground. He became a member of Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  While living in Orangeburg, Chris furthered his education graduating from Midlands Technical College as a Certified Security Officer and he also worked at Orangeburg Regional Medical Center as a Certified Nursing Assistant.   With much encouragement from his Cousin Mary Starks (“Aunt Polly”), Chris returned to his home church where he enjoyed Bible Study and traveling to various churches during revival season.  

Upon his return to Columbia, South Carolina to start a new career with the Famous Cromer’s P-Nuts, Chris used his charismatic dimpled smile and persuasive personality to provide exceptional customer service to the many customers of Cromer’s.  Many customers would visit daily, just to have conversations with Chris and Warren “Cool.”  He was quickly promoted to lead delivery driver and had the opportunity to deliver all over the state meeting people and making them laugh.  He left Cromer’s to start a masonry business with his uncle Dave and his dad JD.  Brick masonry has always been his passion; he worked with many well-known brick masons all over the state.  Whenever the weather wasn’t favorable for laying bricks, you could find Chris cutting hair at Jimmy Kennedy’s Barber Shop on Farrow Road, Columbia, SC or on Weevie’s front porch for his special customers.  Chris had many talents, but his gift of gab and being a jokester was his ultimate gift to ALL.  

Whatever the occasion, Chris was definitely the life of the event.  He never met a stranger and made lifelong friends wherever he went.  He loved to talk sweet talk to the ladies. His motto was “Everybody needs Love”.  Chris loved everybody, and everybody loved Chis.  Nobody can say “Hey there, Darling” like Chris and JD.  He loved to fish, golf, ride or drive anything with wheels.  He loved his family, CJ and Justin (“My Boys”) and his extended family.  Chris also loved his classmates and they loved him so much that 33 years later they were still hanging strong, especially his four best friends who tried often to imitate his lines.  That’s probably why they have been friends so long, just to keep using each other’s lines....  Scott, Gerald, Cool and George Lee……What a Crew!! Our hearts are crushed, because another Jewel has been picked from our family garden, way too soon but we know that God has a plan for all of us.  Please keep the faith and our eyes on God…..Until we meet again…..We Love you Chris.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Rachell Parker-Dawkins; mother, Barbaree Belton Dawkins (Willie); father, Jasper Dawkins (Frankyann); sons, Christopher (“CJ”) Jr, and Justin Dawkins; sisters, Ashley Peay and Joy R. Dawkins-Parris (Daryl); two nephews that he held close to his heart, LaBrent Peay and Antario James and a very special cousin and prayer partner, Mary Starks (Aunt Polly) and a host of aunts, uncles, family and numerous friends. 

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, A.V. and Naomi Belton; paternal grandparents, Edward and Dorothy Dawkins, his uncle and partner in crime, Floyd “Boolie” Belton and favorite cousin, Donald “Juice” Prioleau, Jr.