Obituary of Thomas Watkins – Newport News, VA

NEWPORT NEWS – Mr. Thomas F. Watkins Sr. died Monday, December 1, 2008 at home after a short illness.

He was born on September 28, 1922 in Newport News, Virginia. A lifelong resident of the city, he graduated from Huntington High School and retired from the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company after 48 years of service.

Mr. Tommy, as he was known to many, was preceded in death by his wife, Alma R. Watkins; son, Thomas Henry Watkins; parents, Edward and Irene Watkins; siblings, John Watkins, Dorothy Pretlow, Mary Joyner and Leonard Watkins.

Tommy is survived by his children, Gloria Holley (Kenneth), Sandra Watkins, Brenda Whitley, Deborah Watkins, Ann Smallwood, Dorothy Savage (Richard), Mary Jones, Evelyn Betts, Alma Foster (Dwayne), Thomas Watkins Jr. (Wanda) and Sylvia McCoy; 26 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 1:00 PM at Zion Baptist Church, 633 20th St., Newport News, Virginia. Burial will follow services at Hampton Memorial Gardens. The family will meet at noon at 707 25th St., Newport News.

Celebration and memorial services are entrusted to the M.E. Fisher Funeral Home, 2117 Madison Ave., Newport News, Va.

www.mefisherfuneralhome.com View and post condolences in our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.