Homer Watkins, 76, of Noxapater, went to his heavenly home Thursday, Apr. 30, 2015, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Funeral services were Sunday at 2 p.m. at Noxapater Methodist Church with Rev. David Meadows and Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Interment was in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Noxapater.
He was born July 6, 1938, to William E. and Hazel Kilpatrick Watkins. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1960, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He enjoyed a successful career in the automobile industry for over 60 years. He was an active member of Noxapater Methodist Church and the Methodist Men’s Club of the church. For 30 plus years, he was a member of the Winston Shrine Club and he served in the National Guard.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Sarah Watkins, Noxapater; two sons, Everett Watkins, Key West, Fl., and Thad Watkins and wife, Anne Cassell, of Hoover, Al.; and two daughters, Melissa (Ed) Parker and Mindy Leachman, all of Calhoun City. He loved being “Gramps” to 11 grandchildren, Thad Watkins Jr. and Allen Watkins; Bradley, Martin, and Sara White; Travis and Lenon England; Tracy King; Jace Leachman; Andi Dunn, and Lacey Leachman Herrington; and eight great-grandchildren, Jordan and Riley England; Austin and Mallory England; Keeper and Brady White; Emma Rae King; and Amry Logan. He was an only child but he loved his special cousin, Sybil Claire Sartain, like a sister and she mourns his passing; as does the mother of his sons, Patricia Watkins Farris, Ridgelandi. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Jimmy White.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dickie Caperton, Sammy Carter, Chris Kilpatrick, Rusty King, Dwayne McQuery, and Robert Wall. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Ellis, John Darby, Jesse Hudson, Reginald Horne, Archie Kemp, H. B. Maxey, Don Ray Parker, Leo Parker, Charles Reed, Jerry Webb, and Rex Brunt. Memorials may be given to Noxapater United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 282, Noxapater, MS 39346 or to Mt. Carmel Cemetery Fund, c/o Noxapater Baptist Church, P.O. Box 251, Noxapater, MS 39346.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.