David C. "Big Dave" Watkins

1953 - 2026

David C. "Big Dave" Watkins, 72, husband of Billie Jo Hughes Watkins, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Born in Enoree, August 20, 1953 to the late Betty Deitz Ashley. Big Dave was a 1971 graduate of Greenwood High School and retired from Eaton Corporation. He was a charter member of 51 years with Emerald Baptist Church of Greenwood where he faithfully served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, brotherhood director and men's fellowship breakfast director. He was also a member of Ironman Outdoor Ministries.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Watkins Miles and sister, Kaye Watkins Perrin.

Surviving in addition to his wife is his daughter, Heather Clark and husband Jimmy Clark of Waterloo; sisters, Lynn (David) Bannister and Cathy (Steve) Smith; sister-in-law, Kathy (Scott Bearden) Hughes; and honorary son-in-law, Jim (Kathy) Miles; his grandchildren Darian (Matthew) Paxton, Claire Cribbs, Summer (Travis) Smith, Zach (Donna) Miles, Colin (Kaeley) Miles, Meredith (Wyatt) Keisler, Garrett Miles and Hannah Miles; and five great-grandchildren, Maci, Layla, and Walker Paxton, and Conner and Caroline Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Emerald Baptist Church with Rev. Craig McDaniel officiating. Burial will follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the church from 12-2 Saturday afternoon.

Pallbearers will be Nathan McAlister, Josh Scott, Robby Williams, Brian Perrin, Tim Phillips, and Chip Haynie.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Brotherhood Ministry of Emerald Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Emerald Baptist Church Building Fund, 110 Laurel Ave. E., Greenwood, SC 29649 or to Camelback Ministries, 915 Willard Road, Greenwood, SC 29649.

Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Watkins family.