KD Hawkins enlisted into the U.S. Air Force when he was 17 years old. After serving in the military for 21 1/2 years, he retired in 1972 with the rank of master sergeant.

He received his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and then was moved to Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif. A few months later, he was shipped to Korea where he served in active duty. The war there ended in 1953, and a few months later he got to come back to the United States and was transferred to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. On his first furlough from there he came to Easley, and he and his wife, the former Martha Ann Cantrell, were married. Two years later, their daughter Sherrie was born on KD’s birthday.

A very devoted wife, Martha Ann and their daughter moved with KD from base to base. They have lived in Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, and Sumter and Charleston in South Carolina. While moving around the country, they met and made friends with many people and have been able to keep in touch with some of them.

Carol Baker/Courier

Although they have lived in several different states and even overseas, KD and Martha Ann Hawkins came back to their hometown as the same kind-hearted, caring people who left when they were teenagers.

Martha Ann and Sherrie went with KD when he was shipped to Turkey, but they had to leave after 13 months there because there was a threat of war. KD remained in Turkey for two more years. He was shipped from Turkey to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter. He was also shipped back to Korea. He served time in the Dominican Republic and in active duty in Vietnam.

While in the Air Force, KD took extension classes and received 10 certificates in special courses. His primary duties as a master sergeant were being in charge of surface transportation and the munition section. He inspected bombs before they were loaded onto airplanes.

A few years before retiring from the Air Force, he had a house built in the Cedar Rock community between Easley and Pickens so Martha Ann could return there to live and take care of her mother-in-law. Later, she took care of both of her parents.

After leaving the Air Force, KD went to work at the Easley Fire Department. He retired from there and went to work at Bes-Pac as a truck driver. He worked there for eight years.

KD and Martha Ann have one daughter, one granddaughter, one grandson and four great-grandchildren. Their grandson is currently serving in the Army Special Forces. His rank is lieutenant colonel.

Carol Baker/Courier

Mementos of the past decorate KD and Martha Ann Hawkins’ home in the Cedar Rock community.

Martha Ann’s hobby is crocheting, and her talent is baking cakes. She has crocheted and given away many beautiful afghans. KD plays golf sometimes, but one thing is for sure — they are both workers. They still live in the house they had built at Cedar Rock. KD plants and tends a garden every year. The couple loves to give the vegetables from the garden to their friends and neighbors.

While in the Air Force, KD and Martha Ann traveled through many states and to some countries overseas, but they came back to their hometown as the same kind-hearted, caring people who left when they were teenagers.

Easley resident Carol Baker highlights interesting local residents and helps us get to know more about the fascinating people who call Pickens County home. If you have someone somewhere who you think people should know about, contact us at news@thepccourier.com.