Junior Watkins

Junior Watkins, age 83 of Northport, passed away Friday, May 17, 2019 at Hospice of West Alabama.  Services will be Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel with Bro. Gene Davis officiating.  Burial will follow at Bankston Cemetery.  Visitation will be two hours prior to the service. Mr. Watkins was preceded in death by his parents, Dan Watkins and Ila Watkins; sisters, Dorothy Walters and Inez Potts; brothers, John D., Charles and Kermit Watkins; and daughter-in-law, Jane Ellen Watkins. Junior was born and raised in Bankston, AL and moved to bone Camp Rd in Northport in 1971.  He worked with the Tuscaloosa County Road and Bridge Department for 36 years and loved that department and his co-workers. Through hard work and dedication he rose from a hire as laborer to equipment operator to Superintendent and to one term as Tuscaloosa County Commissioner in District One 1988-1992. His care and concern for this county, his work and the progress he saw in his 40 years was a sense of great pride for him. His interests included quail hunting with some of the best dogs including, Bess, Joe and Wooly Bully; fishing with friends and family; and he enjoyed sports especially when his boys began to be involved. Also he had a large garden for many years that produced bountifully for family and friends. His favorite past time was a good game or ten of dominoes, as he was a master of the game.  Quite Vocal with his not so attentive partner, as some of us could easily annoy him with our poor play, too much talking and laughter. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Watkins; daughters, Dana Kelley (Kenneth) and Phyllis Campbell (Thad); sons, Michael Watkins (Suzanne), Gregory Watkins (Debra) and Phillip Watkins; twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Shane Watkins, Todd Watkins, Jacob Ramsey, Derek Watkins, Levi Campbell, and Steven Johnigan. Honorary pallbearers are Tuscaloosa County Road and Bridge Department past and present employees. A heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of Hospice of West Alabama.  Their exceptional care provided is deeply appreciated by the family. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Bankston Cemetery Fund, c/o Citizens Bank of Fayette, PO Box 706, Fayette, AL 35555.