[1][2] Dawkins also served on the Fayetteville City Council for the twelve years prior to his election as mayor in 1987.
He sought to change downtown's former reputation for high crime and urban decay throughout his tenure as mayor.
His intense love of people and of his city motivated him to strive for quality development and beautification of his beloved community.
He underwent months of chemotherapy at the UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
[2] Dawkins stopped attending city council meetings beginning in February 2000 due to declining health, but he continued to work on official business from home until his death in May 2000.
Dawkins died in office at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville on Tuesday, May 30, 2000, at the age of 64.
[2] In August 2000, after months of negotiations, McBryde was elected mayor by city council to fulfill the remainder of Dawkins' unexpired term.