By Staff
Atmore
The Honorable John H. Watkins Jr., 79, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at an Atmore hospital. He was employed 31 years with Monsanto (Solutia) Textile and Chemical Plant in Pensacola, Fla. He was a city councilman of District Three in Atmore for 16 years and was appointed to Mayor Pro-Tem in 1996. He graduated from Escambia County Training School in Atmore and received an associate's degree in applied science from Faulkner State College in Bay Minette. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Gaines Chapel AME Church in Atmore where he was a member of the trustee board serving as chairperson. He was a member of the adult men Sunday school and organized the first male chorus at the church. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Watkins Sr. and Lilia Watkins; a sister, Marie Smith; and a brother, Zack Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Veola Watkins of Atmore; a daughter, Brenda Watkins of Atmore; two sons, John (Joyce) Watkins III of Pensacola and Roderick Lynn Watkins of Atmore; four sisters, Bessie Brock of Atmore, Carrie (Frank) Millender and Ella (William) Quaker, both of Los Angeles and Ethel Spaulding of Campton, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. at Gaines Chapel AME Church in Atmore with the Rev. Joseph Williams and the Rev. R.L. Holsey officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Atmore, Thursday, Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. with Turner Funeral Home directing.