James Granderson Watkins, 92, joined his heavenly father on Wednesday May 10, 2017.

He was born in Caswell County, NC on February 24, 1925 to the late Granderson and Pensacola Bigelow Watkins of Caswell County, NC.

He attended Caswell County Training School and later entered the US Navy only months before the ending of WWII. He retired from Newport News Shipbuilding after 39 years as a ship's Rigger.
During his employment with the NNS he proudly visited Hawaii, Scotland and Japan, just to name a few. Mr. Watkins received numerous awards and recognitions including the 2015 Lifelong Citizen Award Honoree presented by the Mayor of Newport News. Mr. Watkins was a part of the Annual Newsome Park Day – Old Newsome Park 800 Block of 44th Street Events.

Mr. Watkins was a dedicated member of Zion Baptist Church for many years where he faithfully attended and served the Lord on a regular basis until his illness prevented him from attending. Mr. Watkins was a member of the S. Sutton Adult Bible Class and Golden Age ministries. He was a loving husband, father, grand and great grandpa who loved his children, family and church family. Though he was a large man, Mr. Watkins possessed a gentle, kind and very often humorous spirit. He enjoyed family gatherings and especially when he was the focus. Mr. Watkins enjoyed talking about pass times in the US Navy in WWII, childhood moments, farming, family, and his out of the country trips. He enjoyed having a garden, until his health failed and would be known to give most of his crops away. He was a talker, a jokester, and his children and friends enjoyed listening to him and his stories. He was a cheerful giver of his finance and time to anyone in need.

He was preceded in death by his lovely wife Sadie Lamberth Watkins, three sisters, Thelma Ellis, Doris Brown and Peggy Totten and four brothers, Lewis Watkins, Robert Watkins, Leroy Watkins and Earl Watkins.

He leaves to cherish his memories, four sons, Dr. James Watkins (Hardenia) of Hampton, VA, Roynell Watkins (Shirley) of Columbia, SC, Donald Watkins (Lucy) of Smithfield, VA and Clayton Watkins
(Gloria) of Suffolk, VA; two daughters, Theresa Miles (Darryl) of Hampton, VA and Felecia Watkins of Muskogee, OK; ten grandchildren, Daryl Watkins of Newport News, VA, Deveda Jackson (Matt) of Stone Mountain, GA, Lamont Watkins (Marie) and Roynell "RJ" Watkins (Tamika) both of Reidsville, NC, Meshon Watkins of Silver Springs, MD, Ashley Miles of Bowie, MD, Anthony Evans (Sarah) of Norman OK, Christiana Evans of Billings, MT, Chris Watkins (Shirlwin) of Chesapeake, VA, and Dr. Daphne Watkins-Jacobs (Paul) Ann Arbor, MI; eleven Great-Grandchildren; two sisters, Gladys Mae Fields and Ruth Brown both of Reidsville, NC; seven sisters-in-law, Elsie Holmes, and Elaine Brown (Willie), both of Reidsville, NC, Mattie Johnson (Ed) and Sharon Lamberth, Richmond, VA, Glenda Lamberth and Eyvonne Lamberth, both of Gibsonville, NC and Rev. Gay Singleton of Burlington, NC; three brothers-in-law, Cornelius Lamberth (Ida), and Morris Lamberth (Jennie), both of Greensboro, NC and Dale Lamberth (Modess) of Gibsonville, NC; devoted cousin, Genie Graves of Hampton, VA. Devoted friends, Bro. "Big" Clayton, Deacon William Jones, Bro. Haywood Lovett, Bro. Clem Batten and Deacon Carl Jones and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A homegoing service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Zion Baptist Church, Newport News, VA. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens, Hampton, VA. Viewing will be from 1 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. The Family is asking in lieu of flowers please donate to Zion Baptist Church Building Fund c/o James Watkins. O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.