Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada for Mr. John Dakota “John Cody” Hawkins, 27, of Long Creek, S.C., formerly of Madison, who died on Saturday, April 13. Burial followed in Paul Cemetery in Tallahatchie County. The family received friends from noon until service time on Saturday, April 20, at McKibben and Guinn.
John Cody was born on March 20, 1997, in Jackson, the son of Aaron and Monica Mullen Hawkins. He was a graduate of Madison Central High School and a member of First Baptist Church Madison. He had spent the last few years living in Long Creek, S.C., where he cultivated many friendships and connections that became more like family than friends. He found his happy place on the Chattooga River as a rafting guide and spent as much time as he possibly could in the great outdoors where he enjoyed harvesting wild fruits and other delicious foods. In his spare time, he was a self-taught musician, having written songs as well as playing the piano, guitar and mandolin.
One sister, Ashley Kaitlin Hawkins, and grandparents, Wayne Mullen and Connie Holman, preceded John Cody in death.
In addition to his parents, survivors include, his grandmother, Jean Hawkins of Ocean Springs; one sister, Amanda Kumar of Brandon; aunts, Angela Palazzolo (Joseph) and Julie Kelley; uncle, Cody Mullen (Lindsey) and a host of cousins and extended family as well as his adopted community of friends in Long Creek, S.C.
Pallbearers were Warren Cox Jr., Cody Mullen, Blake Palazzolo, Mason Palazzolo, Peyton Walchak and Trey Walchak.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
