Godfrey W. Hawkins was born in Orlando, Florida, February 2, 1907; one of eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Hawkins.

Dr. Hawkins received his early educational training at the Johnson Academy and Jones High School where he completed junior high school in 1922. He later completed his high school work at Florida A and M University (then Florida A and M College) in 1924. He remained at the college and received his B. S. degree in 1929. Dr. Hawkins immediately entered Meharry Medical College completing his course in dentistry in 1933. At Florida A and M, Dr. Hawkins worked his way through college as the secretary of the extension division of the U.S. Department at the college of which A. A. Turner was state agent in charge. He worked his way through Meharry by acting as steward of the Omega fraternity house there.

After passing the Florida State Dental Board, Dr. Hawkins practiced dentistry for a few months in his home town, later opening his offices in Lakeland, where he remained for 18 months before moving to Overtown, Miami, where he took over the practice of the late Dr. J. R. Scott in 1935, where he remained until he retired in 1954. His offices were located at 1018 N. W. 2nd Avenue.

He was married in 1935 to the former Alice Jones of Lake City and had one daughter, Anna Jean. His wife preceded him in death in 1970. He remarried in 1972 to Mary Lucas Thomas of Orlando.

Dr. Hawkins led an active civic, religious and social life in his community. He was: the first chairman and past president of the King of Clubs Forum; president and founding member of Sigma Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; president of the FAMU Alumni Association; chairman of the dental section of the Florida Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association; president of the Florida Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association; president of the Dade County Academy of Medicine; chairman of the awards Committee of the National Dental Association; and he headed the Red Cross, Community Chest and many other civic organizations. He was a member of Greater Bethel AME Church, serving on the Trustee Board, the Usher Board, and other auxiliary groups.