James Watkins

James Arthur Watkins VIRGINIA BEACH - James "Jim" Watkins passed away quietly at his place of residence in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Jim graduated from Hopewell High School in Hopewell, Va., and moved with his family to Virginia. Beach in 1973. He worked as a mechanical draftsman and later as a mechanical designer. He relocated to Tampa, Fla., where he met and married his wife. In Florida, he worked as a mechanical designer with a recent promotion and relocation to Fort Lauderdale. Jim celebrated his 55th birthday on March 2. Jim was preceded in death by his younger brother, Frederick "Rick" Watkins. He is survived by his parents, Fred and Iris Watkins; his sisters, Karen Solis and husband Orlando, Gail Fewell and her husband Kirk, his wife Belinda Gail Watkins; his daughter, April Watkins; his stepdaughter, Tiffany; stepsons, Patrick and Brian; four grandchildren; along with his nephews, cousins and his aunt, Marian Ellen Simmons and Sara Gray Watkins.