Cody J. Watkins

Cody Jackson Watkins, 18, Florence, passed away Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, at his residence.Cody was born in Florence, Ala., on Aug. 2, 1983. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church and a senior at Coffee High School. Cody was a former football player, he was a self-taught musician and he played the guitar. He loved to ride his Harley-Davidson with his dad.Cody was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Morris J. Watkins; mother, Keely McDonald Watkins; maternal great-grandmother, Earleen Copeland; and step-great-grandmother, Jewell Copeland.The service will be Thursday, Feb. 14, at 3:30 p.m. at Elkins Funeral Home chapel, with Brother Chris Underwood officiating. Burial will follow in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends today at Elkins Funeral Home from 6 until 9 p.m. Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.Cody is survived by his father, Steven Craig Watkins, and fiancee, Carol Judd, Florence, Ala.; sister, Keishun Meri Watkins, Florence, Ala.; paternal grandmother, Alice Watkins, Houston, Texas; maternal grandparents, Ed and Peggy McDonald, Florence, Ala.; maternal great-grandfather, Leland Copeland, Florence, Ala.; a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.Pallbearers will be Phillip Holcombe, Hunter Davis, Justin Faires, Adam Springer, Ricky Beasley, Johnny Gifford and Kevin Brewer. Honorary pallbearers will be Caroline Beumer, Allie Bratcher, John Wisdom and Nick Engle.Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a contribution to Highland Baptist Church Building Fund, 219 Simpson St., Florence, AL 35630, or to the American Cancer Society, 130 Poplar St., Florence, AL 35630.