Bobby Estel Watkins

Bobby Estel Watkins, 77, of Rt. 2 Box 89 Rock, West Virginia (Montcalm) went home to be with his LORD and savior after a short illness on Monday, April 20, 2009 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, West Virginia. Mr. Watkins was the son of the late Claude Watkins and Georgia Spencer Watkins born on February 21, 1932 in Beckley, West Virginia. He was a Gospel worker for F.M.C.A. working in the nursing home ministry for the past 15 years and a Sunday school teacher for past many years. He enjoyed singing praises to his savior for many past years. He was a member of the Calvary Tabernacle under Pastor George Johnston. He also worked for the Eastern Associated Coal at Herndon, West Virginia for 18 years. He was a member of the UMWA, and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son, Johnny Watkins, three sisters, Betty Clark, Marie Underwood and Ruth Bennitt; one brother, Wayne Watkins and four great grandchildren. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Flossie Jennings Watkins of the home, five children Darrel Watkins and wife Bonnita of Virginia, Ronnie Watkins and wife Sherry of Virginia, Connie Hubard of Glenwood, West Virginia, Shelia Myers and husband Glenn of Princeton, West Virginia and JoAnn Watkins of Montcalm, West Virginia and one brother Earl Watkins of Chicago, Illinois. Thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, West Virginia with the Rev. George Johnston, Rev. Ryan Lawrence and Rev. Larry White officiating the service. Burial will follow at the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell, West Virginia Friends and family may call at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, West Virginia on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Mr. Watkins son-in-laws and grandsons; Brother Larry White, Phillip Brown, Michael Taylor, Jr., Ryan Meadows, Glenn Myers, Keith Hubard and Johnny Watkins Jr. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Watkins family