UPDATED: Mother Talks About Son Who Drowned In Atlantic Beach
UPDATED: Mother Talks About Son Who Drowned In Atlantic Beach Save Email Print
Posted: 9:50 PM Aug 7, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:23 PM Aug 7, 2008
 Reporter: Heather King / Bill Wilson / Christine Kennedy
30 comments
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As helicopters, boats in the water and men on the ground were searching for Lisa Cannon's son Jamerson Hawkins Sunday, Cannon was also combing the beach, hoping her 17 year old son would emerge from the water.

On Monday, Jamerson's body did wash ashore. We spoke with Cannon, she told us Jamerson was a special kid -- who was always in good spirits even though he had major health problems. Cannon says Jamerson had one kidney, half of bladder and a hole in his heart.

Cannon tells us Jamerson's funeral will be held Saturday at 1pm at Kinston High School.

Original Story:

Rescue crews recovered the body of a missing Kinston teenager who disappeared last night off Atlantic Beach.

The body of Jamerson Hawkins, Jr. was pulled from the ocean around 2:00 p.m. near the bath house at Fort Macon State Park.

According to authorities, the 17-year-old was swimming with a friend at the circle in Atlantic Beach in Carteret County, when the currents overwhelmed him.

A command post was set up at Oceana Pier and crews searched throughout the nigh and into this morning looking for any signs of Hawkins.

Atlantic Beach Fire Chief Adam Snyder says Hawkins didn't know how to swim well and that health problems may have contributed to the accident.

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Posted by: NANCY Location: OBION.TN on Aug 12, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I DONT KNOW THE PAIN THIS FAMILY IS GOING THROUH BUY I KNOW THIS IS SO SAD //PLEASE HELP THIS FAMILY.IN PRAYERS ,MAY GOD BLESS YALL.. AND KEEP YOUR SON MEMORIES
Posted by: kinston Location: nc on Aug 9, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I have known Lisa for many years and she has already lost to many loved ones. I pray for her continued strength to endure the loss of her precious child. God Bless.
Posted by: a mom on Aug 9, 2008 at 02:40 AM
the beach is a wonderful place, but powerful and dangerous. God has your son now, as he will be at peace. our prayers are with you all as you continue the process of the loss of your son. God had a plan to take him home early.
Posted by: smb Location: Grimesland on Aug 8, 2008 at 08:43 PM
To the family, you're in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: JENKINS Location: BERTIE on Aug 8, 2008 at 08:41 PM
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY BE STRONG GOD DON'T PUT NO MORE ON YOU THAN YOU CAN BARE. PRAYING FOR YOU AND WITH YOU GOD BLESS YOU
Posted by: VALERIE Location: WASHINGTON on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:18 PM
MY THOUGTHS AND PRAYERS R WITH THE FAMILY, BE STRONG AND GOD WILL DO THE REST.HOLD NO.
Posted by: KEISHA Location: KINSTON on Aug 7, 2008 at 06:53 PM
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU THE FAMILY OF JAMESON HAWKINS. MAY GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE DURING YOUR TIME OF GRIEF. NOT ONLY TODAY BUT IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TO COME I WILL BE PRAYING THAT GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO GO THROUGH. SOMETIMES WE DONT UNDERSTAND GODS TIMING AND WHY THINGS HAPPEN AS THEY DO BUT REMEMBER THE BIBLE SAIDS TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING BUT IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS. GOD DID'NT SAY THE ROAD OF THIS LIFE WOULD BE EASY BUT HE DID SAY THAT HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US. BE STRONG IN THE LORD. NOT LOOKING UNTO MAN BUT LOOKING UNTO THE LORD WHERE ALL OF OUR HELP COMES FROM. GOD BLESS YOU. SISTER KEISHA
Posted by: kinston Location: nc on Aug 7, 2008 at 04:19 PM
My thoughts and prayers to the family, God Bless you all.
Posted by: Tiera G. Location: Snow Hill,NC on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:24 PM
My heart goes out to everyone in this family...i will keep yall in my prayers!!! Ashley, Kristy and Domonique i hope that you all feel better soon, because you know that they say sometimes it is our time...even though we may not understand and are sad wen things like this happen...but i will pray for everyone cause prayer is the key to me!!!Love yall
Posted by: susan Location: goldsboro on Aug 5, 2008 at 06:39 PM
my heart goes out to this family, im so sorry to hear of your loss. i will keep you in my prayers
Posted by: Wanda Location: Greenville, NC on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:26 AM
TO: Ashley & Family. I am sorry for your loss. I pray for your strength & sorrow
Posted by: Temple on Aug 5, 2008 at 04:57 AM
Our thoughts and prayers are with this young mans family in their time of grief. We are so sorry for the loss they are enduring right now. We witnessed the recovery at Fort Macon and are thankful that there are such brave lifeguards in this area to keep watch over our family members. The young men were very brave. Thank you for the hard work that they do. Please know that we will be keeping Jamerson and his family in our prayers.
Posted by: Ashley Location: SnowHill on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Thanks for all ur prayers and all the morehead police and everyone else for finding my lil bro Thanks!!!
Posted by: Karie Location: Pinetops on Aug 4, 2008 at 09:15 PM
God Bless the family of this boy, and our prayers are with you all.
Posted by: chelsea Location: grifton nc on Aug 4, 2008 at 07:08 PM
much love to the people who found my brother jamerson hawkins. i wish the best for the family and hope that everything is okay threw out this moment of time. jamerson i love you and always will. god bless yall.
Posted by: Diane Location: Bahama, NC on Aug 4, 2008 at 06:39 PM
My prayers go out to the family of James we commend the Atlantic Beach EMS(fire, police), Coast Guard, and all who took part in finding this young man we saw the heart felt effort that took place. God bless you all
Posted by: wendy Location: goldsboro,nc on Aug 4, 2008 at 06:32 PM
May God be with each and everyone of you during this time of sorrow.We will continue to keep you in our prayers.
Posted by: Benny Location: Lucama on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I hope the family finds peace in the memories they have. My prayers and thoughts are with you. I am glad James has been found.
Posted by: Tammy Location: Pink Hill/Kinston on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:06 PM
God be with you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: KRYS Location: SNOW HIL on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:39 PM
MUCH LOVE 2 MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT WHERE THERE SUPPORTING MY BROTHERS DEATH AND THANK FOR THE BLESSING AND PRAYERS THAT POEPLE HAVE LEFT UP HERE FOR US FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Posted by: unknown Location: atlantic beach on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:10 PM
we first noticed police search trucks/boats/helicopter near the oceanna around 9:00P. I know they were searching until at least 2:30A.
Posted by: vickie Location: New Port on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
He's gone, all the futile prayers will do no good!Maybe some financial help for the family may be in order.Devastation and Grief will overwhelm the family for days to come.I am so sorry for the Loss of this young man.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: atlantic beach on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Hope the family can get some closure
Posted by: cj Location: greenville on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM
may family and i were at Atlantic Beach all day on Sunday. there was a noticable drift pulling to the north, the waves were choppy and rough, not very big, but some had some power. does anyone know what time of day this young man was lost? my condolences go out to his family and friends. please remember, especially if you are not a strong swimmer-- swim in the ocean only where and when the area is protected by lifeguards.
Posted by: The Joyner Family Location: Nashville, NC on Aug 4, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Posted by: Erin Location: Greenville on Aug 4, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Posted by: -Unknown- Location: Greenville, NC on Aug 4, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I've only been to Atlantic Beach 3 times and know the current "can" be pretty strong. Know all our prayers with you and I hope for the best.
Posted by: Kevin Location: Tarboro on Aug 4, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Posted by: Jennifer Lewis Location: Morehead City on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:35 AM
My prayer are with the family of this young teen my self and My friend sat on the beach hope that the family gets good news but all we can do is hope for the best
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