Dr. Thomas H. Watkins Sr.

WATKINS

DR. THOMAS H., SR. passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2006 from complications due to leukemia. Beloved husband, father and family man, Dr. Watkins was born in Woodbine, NJ on December 20, 1928 to the late Edward and Mabel Watkins. He attended Millville High School where he was a charter member of the honor society. He graduated from Glassboro State College (now Rowan College) and earned a Masters from Temple University and a PhD from Walden University, all in Education. After graduating from Glassboro, he served honorably in the United States Army until his discharge in 1953 as a first lieutenant.
After leaving the Army, Dr. Watkins moved to Philadelphia and began work as a teacher in the Philadelphia public school system. Quickly rising through the ranks at the school system he served as a teacher, counselor, vice-principal, principal and administrator before retiring in 1981 as the director of non-instructional personnel. His retirement was just the start of a new chapter in his life as he joined Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. as a consultant. While at Lincoln he was a perennial Presidents Club member. He continued to work there until 1994. even then, he wouldn't stop working and formed Watkins Enterprises Ltd, a real-estate holding company that also produced shows to spotlight area talent despite spending his winters in Florida.
Dr. Watkins married the former Louise Byrd Ray of Germantown on October 6, 1956. They had two children, Thomas H. Jr. of Haddonfield, NJ and Todd R. of Washington, DC.
Despite the strains of a growing family and burgeoning career, he always remained active in civic and community affairs. He served for many years as a member and Chairman of the Trustee Board of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he was also part of the fellowship guild, Outreach Feeding Ministry and the December Circle. He was an active member in Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and served as its president for 8 years. He also served as a charter member of the board of the Philadelphia African American Museum and on the board of Chestnut Hill Academy. He was a member of the Frontiers International, the Education Round-table, Opera North and the Schoolmens Club. He lived a happy life and gave much of himself to the aid of others.
In addition to his wife of fifty years and sons, he is survived by two daughters-in-law, Fayze and Julia; four granddaughters, Nadeen, Samara, Layla and Avery; and his brothers, Fred and Harry Watkins; his sisters, Helen Goar, Edna Todd, Dorothy McLean; his aunt, Emily Stanford Darden; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William, and his sister, Aldine Lee Lively.
A Memorial Service will be at 10 AM on Saturday, July, 8, 2006 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 41 West Rittenhouse Street, Philadelphia, PA.
In lieu of the flowers, the family has asked that well-wishers make a contribution to the Thomas H. Watkins Scholarship Fund, c/o Rho Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, P.O. Box 34577, Phila., PA 19101.

www.terryfuneralhome.com