Deacon Theodore ‘Ted’ Watkins, 89

A service honoring the life of Deacon Theodore “Ted” Watkins was held at Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church Sept. 3. Pastor Dr. Stanford L. Anderson presided. Pastor Reuben Bennett gave the eulogy. Pastor Booker T. Rose sang a hymn. Music was rendered by Jelani Watkins, Zealine Davenport, and Dr. E. Neal Dixon. Pastor James Curtis read from the Old Testament. Apostle Johnny Watkins read from the New Testament. Reflections were shared by: Carrie Mins; Deacon Shedrick Gaskins; Deacon Wiley Schley; Minnie Watkins; Emory Watkins; Christopher Watkins; and Solomon Watkins. Isom Harmon read a resolution from the Willacoochee Missionary Baptist Association. Pallbearers were deacons and grandsons. Flower attendants were deaconesses. Interment was in Kirkland Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Deacon Watkins was born to Bernice Wilson Watkins and Emory Watkins Sr. in Jeff Davis County Feb. 12, 1937. He became a member of Kirkland Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He was a 1955 graduate of Hazlehurst High School.
Deacon Watkins moved to Atlanta, where he married Miriam Smith. He moved to Dayton, Ohio, and established a career as a truck driver. His final employment was with Consolidated Freightways, from which he retired. While in Dayton, Deacon Watkins was an active member of Mount Enon Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a trained usher. He retired at 57 and returned to Hazlehurst to care for his mother.
Deacon Watkins reconnected with Kirkland Grove MBC and served as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, deacon, usher and treasurer. His love for the church was demonstrated through years of service and his willingness to serve wherever needed. Deacon Watkins married Edna Dunbar in 2002.
Deacon Watkins was involved in civic and community activities. As president, he was instrumental in initiating the Hazlehurst High and Elementary School Reunion. He was named “Citizen of the Year” by the Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce and was Grand Marshall of the 2000 Hazlehurst Christmas Parade.
After many years in Tifton, Deacon Watkins died Aug. 26 at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Elizabeth Blackmon.
Survivors include his wife Edna Watkins; siblings Emory (Ruby) Watkins Jr. of Coolidge, Eddie Watkins, Minnie Ruth Watkins and Apostle Johnny (Pastor Janice) Watkins, all of Hazlehurst; children Harry (Renee) Hall of Virginia Beach, Va., Jennifer Solomon of McRae-Helena, Theodora Richardson of Virginia Beach, Va., Alfred (Jill) Watkins of Atlanta, Mychael Bennett of Jacksonville, Fla., and Christopher (DeVonne) Watkins of Chattanooga, Tenn.; bonus children Jamieson (LaTasha) Moore of Rincon, Pamela Moore of Ocilla, and Louis (LeAnna) Dunbar Jr. of Orlando, Fla.; grandchildren Eric Hall, Joaquin Rogers, Macy Moore-Rouse, Jelani (Taylor) Watkins, Sierra Watkins, Francesca Watkins, Solomon Watkins, Jahleel Rogers, Sharon Bennett, Jamier Bennett, Takari Moore, Raeqwon Burgess, Devin Burgess, Kevin Burgess, Gavin Dunbar, Cameron Dunbar, Amelia Dunbar and Zakia Dunbar; great-grandchildren Macy Moore-Rouse, Graham Hess, Janessa Rogers, Jalea Rogers, Nora Watkins, Tiana Moore, Taiden Moore, and Naomi Burgess; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Davis Funeral Home of Ocilla was in charge.