Frank Lee Hawthorne, Jr. , a strong man of faith, was born on March 17, 1945 to the late Frank Lee Hawthorne, Sr. and Dorothy Miller Hawthorne in Casper, Wyoming. He left his earthly body on June 18, 2026 to be with our Lord and Savior. There will be no more hospital trips, medicines, nurses or doctors. We can now see him walking, running, and singing in heaven with his loved ones and friends.

Frank was a life member of the Walker Grant Alumni Association, Class of 1965, where he was an awesome athlete and played football (QB), basketball, and baseball. He earned an athletic scholarship to Virginia State College (now University) where he attended for two years before entering the United States Army. While attached to the Signal Corp and assigned to Munich Germany, he maintained vehicles, traveled, played football and made many life-long friends.

He was a mentor and an active citizen in the community. He coached pee wee football with Willie Holmes for many years. He was a member of the NAACP, a Boy Scout leader for years, a chaperone for both Partnership for Academic Excellence and church youth trips, a member of the Diaconate for over 30 years, the Men's Club, media team, men's choir, a trustee and a sexton at the Shiloh Baptist Church New Site. He was recognized by Tau Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as Citizen of the Year.

Frank started working at an early age along side his grandfather, Peyton Hawthorne and father, Frank, Sr. As a senior in high school, he worked for two downtown Fredericksburg stores, Miller's and Fashion Plate. As an adult, Frank was a brick mason and worked with Samuel H. Jackson Masonry for many years and later joined Bell Atlantic, now Verizon, for over twenty-eight years as a cable splicer technician. In 2008 he retired from Verizon. He then took over his love for cooking meals and just being "Frank".

After retirement, he displayed many other talents that included Bible scholar, chef, lawncare, mechanic, and his desire to become a musician playing the keyboard, trumpet and the guitar. Most of all, he was a loving husband, great father, Papa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He will be truly missed.

Frank was preceded in death by his brothers, James, Joseph, and Donald Hawthorne; sister, Patricia Fauntleroy; and nieces, Tanya Hawthorne, Renee Hawthorne, and Syndoni Hawthorne.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 58 years, Deborah "Paulette" Hawthorne; sons, Brian Lee (Kimberlyn) Hawthorne and Diallo Kobie (Shevuon) Hawthorne of San Antonio, Texas; sisters, Dorothy Rodriquez of Atlanta, Georgia, Barbara Brown and Sharon (Rockland) Gibson of Spotsylvania, Virginia; brothers, Larry (Julia) Hawthorne, Sr. of Stafford, Virginia, Zolly (Linda) Hawthorne of Spotsylvania, Virginia; sisters-in-law, Michelle Hawthorne and Sherida Hawthorne of Spotsylvania, Virginia; brothers-in-law, Alvin Fauntleroy of Spotsylvania, Virginia, Rico Samuel of Baltimore, Maryland and Damian Samuel of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Frank leaves behind ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, six godchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Frank was devoted to caring for his family.

A viewing and visitation will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22408, on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. An additional viewing will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church New Site, 525 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM. Click here to view a live streaming of the Celebration of Life. Click here to view the funeral program. The interment will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Warrenton Road, Fredericksburg, VA.