Fred Watkins
April 2, 1931 ~ June 22, 2022 (age 91) 91 Years Old
Tribute
Fred Lamar Watkins
April 2, 1931 – June 22, 2022
Born in Berryton, Georgia to the late James and Lillie Maude Watkins. Fred served in the United Sates Air Force during the Korean War. He moved to Griffin in 1956 and has been in the radio business for 70 years as the owner of W.H.I.E. and the voice of Swap Buy and Sell. He was active in the Jaycees, and joined Kiwanis Club in 1959 and had perfect attendance for 50 years. Fred enjoyed working with the stage shows for the Fair for many years.
He was president of Babe Ruth Baseball for several years as well as supporters of his daughters' softball and basketball recreational teams. Fred was chosen to represent Griffin as “General Griffin” in 1992. He was a loving husband to his wife Dorothy for 72 years until her passing in August 2021. He was also a great father, grandfather and great great-grandfather and never could pass a yard sale without stopping.
Survivors include children, Mark Watkins of Traverse City, MI, Rhonda Watkins Crumbley (Russ) of Jackson, Georgia, Kay Watkins Marshall (Tommy) of Concord, and Enid Watkins McDaniel of Griffin. Grandchildren include Stewart Watkins (Katrina) of Hoffman Estates, IL., Brooke Crumbley Stroud (Wade) of Jackson, Erin Crumbley Downing (Brad) of Jackson, Dr. Emily Marshall James (Thomas) of Pike County, Elyse McDaniel Barnard (Jordan) of Griffin, Clair Watkins (Theresa) of Santa Barbara, CA., Andy Marshall of Concord, and Jackson Watkins of St. Paul, MN. Great grandchildren include Cheyenne, Colton, Carter, and Charlotte Watkins, Sydney, Ridge and Sarah Ellen Stroud, Barrett and Brock Downing and Hannah Kay James. Brother-in-law, Charles (Sonny) Stewart of Jacksonville, FL.; sister-in-law, Polly Gilbreath of Summerville, and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Fred will be Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Followed by a funeral service in the chapel, officiated by Dr. Benny Tate. There will be designated seating for any former "General Griffins" who plan to attend the service.
Interment will be in Westwood Gardens.
April 2, 1931 – June 22, 2022
Born in Berryton, Georgia to the late James and Lillie Maude Watkins. Fred served in the United Sates Air Force during the Korean War. He moved to Griffin in 1956 and has been in the radio business for 70 years as the owner of W.H.I.E. and the voice of Swap Buy and Sell. He was active in the Jaycees, and joined Kiwanis Club in 1959 and had perfect attendance for 50 years. Fred enjoyed working with the stage shows for the Fair for many years.
He was president of Babe Ruth Baseball for several years as well as supporters of his daughters' softball and basketball recreational teams. Fred was chosen to represent Griffin as “General Griffin” in 1992. He was a loving husband to his wife Dorothy for 72 years until her passing in August 2021. He was also a great father, grandfather and great great-grandfather and never could pass a yard sale without stopping.
Survivors include children, Mark Watkins of Traverse City, MI, Rhonda Watkins Crumbley (Russ) of Jackson, Georgia, Kay Watkins Marshall (Tommy) of Concord, and Enid Watkins McDaniel of Griffin. Grandchildren include Stewart Watkins (Katrina) of Hoffman Estates, IL., Brooke Crumbley Stroud (Wade) of Jackson, Erin Crumbley Downing (Brad) of Jackson, Dr. Emily Marshall James (Thomas) of Pike County, Elyse McDaniel Barnard (Jordan) of Griffin, Clair Watkins (Theresa) of Santa Barbara, CA., Andy Marshall of Concord, and Jackson Watkins of St. Paul, MN. Great grandchildren include Cheyenne, Colton, Carter, and Charlotte Watkins, Sydney, Ridge and Sarah Ellen Stroud, Barrett and Brock Downing and Hannah Kay James. Brother-in-law, Charles (Sonny) Stewart of Jacksonville, FL.; sister-in-law, Polly Gilbreath of Summerville, and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Fred will be Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Followed by a funeral service in the chapel, officiated by Dr. Benny Tate. There will be designated seating for any former "General Griffins" who plan to attend the service.
Interment will be in Westwood Gardens.
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Fred Watkins
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