The Reverend Charles B. Dawkins, known by many as “PD” and by his grand and great grandchildren as “Papa,” died on Good Friday, April 15th, 2022, at age 91. Pastor Dawkins was a resident of West Columbia, and he is survived by his wife Betty Frierson Dawkins, and their daughters Debra Louise (Walt) Steading and Donna Dawkins (Hank) Ray, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Son David Lee Dawkins predeceased him.
Pastor Dawkins graduated from Newberry College and then attended the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, accepting a call to serve in Japan in 1954. Over the 16 years as missionaries, Charles and Betty lived in Tokyo, and then in Kumamoto, and finally in Yokohama, Japan. While on the one-year expected furloughs, he served in parish ministry in various locations in South Carolina. The family relocated to the United States in 1970, where he served at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Little Mountain until 1976 and subsequently at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, engaging in interfaith community service organizing efforts and in prison ministry. Following certification in clinical pastoral education, he took a position with the Kiva program at the state hospital in the Department of Mental Health. After retirement he enjoyed many years of supply ministry within the SC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and with Kairos prison ministry.
A memorial service will be on Saturday, April 23rd at 4:00 pm at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church, 1416 Broad River Road in Columbia, South Carolina. The family will accept visitors at the church at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mission Lexington or the charity of your choice.
