Mr. Wilbert L. Dawkins, Jr. was born in Nashville, TN, on August 10,
1958, the to the late Dr. Wilbert L. Dawkins, Sr. and Mrs. Tinye Cobb
Dawkins. He lived briefly in Nashville, TN, then Tuskegee, AL, before
moving to Jacksonville, FL. He attended St. Pius Catholic School, St.
Patrick Catholic School and graduated from Bishop Kenny High School
in 1976. After high school, he matriculated at Morehouse College and
Jacksonville University.
Mr. Dawkins was an accomplished athlete, dominating youth swim
meets and basketball games. As a testament to his basketball skills, he
was named to the National All-American Basketball Team while at
Bishop Kenny High School. As the oldest of his six brothers, 'Will'
forged a path at each school that his brothers followed. Growing up, he
enjoyed activities with Jack and Jill of America; and in similar fashion,
provided a template for his siblings to follow. He met the love of his life
at an Isley Brothers concert in 1977. The loving couple married on
December 28, 1991, and they enjoyed over 30 years together. A doting
father, he was always attentive to the needs and aspirations of his son,
Brian. He extended that same loving oversight to his many nieces and
nephews. He was always known to be easy-going, quick to smile, and
kept everyone informed on current events (sometimes at 2AM). Wilbert
was an avid music lover and jazz aficionado; he enthusiastically
introduced this genre of music to his brothers, extended family, and
friends and often made mix tapes to share his favorite artists. He also
enjoyed long talks with his 'brother from another mother', Alan Jones.
Mr. Dawkins was employed as Janitorial Supervisor by UF Health,
Jacksonville, and by the Jewish Community Alliance, from where he
retired in 2020 after rendering over 30 years of dedicated service in the
industry.
Wilbert L. Dawkins, Jr. departed this life on Friday, October 7, 2022,
surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his father, Wilbert L.
Dawkins, Sr., M.D., and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mr. Moses and
Mrs. Cynthia Jones. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Karleen Jones
Dawkins; son, Brian Alexander Dawkins; mother, Mrs. Tinye Cobb
Dawkins; seven brothers, Stephen A. Dawkins, MD and his wife,
Arnika Dawkins, Patrick A. Dawkins, MD and his wife, Terri DunnDawkins, MD, Mark C. Dawkins, Ph.D. and his wife, Janyce Dawkins,
Esq., Frederick C. Dawkins, Esq. and his wife, Donna Dawkins, Paul F.
Dawkins and his wife, Christina Dawkins, Michael A. Dawkins and his
wife LaShanda Dawkins, Esq. and Charles Dawkins; aunts, Mmes.
Christine Cobb and Nancy Dawkins; first cousins, Ms. Deborah
Washington, Mr. Stanley Cobb, and Ms. Karen Cobb; brothers-in-law,
Messrs. Alan and Ronald Jones; sister-in-law, Mrs. Cynthia Jones
Seymore (William); a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and
friends.