Fred O. Watkins Jr.

Mr. Fred Oris Watkins Jr., 93, a resident of 601 East Main Street, Washington, N.C., died Sunday, March 11, 2012 at his home. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Washington, conducted by Dr. Jimmy Moore. Burial with Military honors and Masonic rites will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Mr. Watkins' grandsons, Tyler N. Watkins, Ryal E. Watkins, Fred O. Watkins IV, Richard Lee Watkins, and Trey Smith, along with Danny Swain will serve as pallbearers.
Mr. Watkins was born on March 4, 1919 and reared in Plymouth. He was the son of the late Fred O. Watkins Sr. and Anna Almira Jones Watkins. Mr. Watkins went to high school in Plymouth and attended King's Business College in Raleigh. He moved to Washington with his family in 1938 and entered the U.S. Army in October of 1941, serving in the European Theatre. He was discharged in November 1945 as a Master Sergeant.
On Dec. 24, 1943, he married Bettie Frances Long and was the father of four children, Fred III, Frances, Billy and Wayne, who have presented him with eight grandchildren. Mrs. Watkins died on May 30, 1989.
Shortly after being discharged from the Army, Mr. Watkins entered the life insurance business, working in Kinston, Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, and Durham. He returned to Washington in 1954 and shortly thereafter started the Fred Watkins Insurance agency. In April 1962, his agency merged with Payne Insurance agency to form Payne-Watkins Insurance Agency. In October 1984, Payne-Watkins Insurance, Inc. merged with Morris Insurance agency and he retired.
Mr. Watkins was a member of the First Baptist Church of Washington, teacher of the Baracca Sunday School Class for 18 years, elected three times as a Deacon (served three times as Chairman) and was a former Sunday School Director. He was a member of the Washington Masonic Lodge #675, A.F. & A.M., Moye Chapter #53, RAM, Washington Council #17 R & SM (Mason), Calvary Commandry #25 K.T. (York Rite), Sudan Temple AAONMS New Bern (Shrine) Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #822 (Exalted Ruler for 10 years) Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #6088, Washington Kiwanis Club, American Association of Retired Persons and the Travelers Protective Association. He was a former member of the JayCees in Durham, Gratts in Rocky Mount, the Charitable Brotherhood Lodge, the Civitan Club and the Moose Lodge.
Mr. Watkins married the former Evelyn Jones Taylor in December of 1989, who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Fred O. Watkins III and wife, Lynda, of Washington, Frances Watkins Guilford and husband, Wallace, of Washington, William B. Watkins and wife, Jeanne, of Greenville, Wayne T. Watkins and wife, Kim, of Washington; his grandchildren, Tyler N. Watkins and wife, Suzanne, R. D. "Trey" Smith III and wife, Holly, Fred O. Watkins IV and wife, Jennifer, Ryal E. Watkins and fiancee, Sarah Minard, Lizanne S. Godley and husband, Chuck, ENS Richard Lee Watkins USN and wife, Noel, and Morgan Whitley Watkins; his six great-grandchildren; and his brother, Eugene Clayton Watkins of Albemarle.
In addition to his parents and his first wife, Mr. Watkins was preceded in death by a sister, Daphne Watkins Mills, a brother, Kent Lane Watkins, and a grandson, Trent Emery Watkins.
The family would like to extend a "Special Thank You" to his caregiver, Frances Dees, and his friend, Charlie Baker.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at the First Baptist Church and other times at the home, 601 East Main Street, Washington.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Widow's Mite Building Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 113 N. Harvey Street, Washington, NC 27889.
Online condolences may be sent to the family or you may view the video tribute by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Watkins family.