Marvin Carrell Watkins, 79, of Hoboken, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL.
Born in Alma November 3, 1944, he grew up in Blackshear and was a multi-sport athlete before joining the Air Force. He was an air combat controller during his tour in the Vietnam War. After his Air Force service, he joined the National Guard serving in both Montana and Georgia. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Vietnam Veterans of America.
He was a scholar, earning his bachelor’s degree, then completing his MBA at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA. He had an incredible civilian career in Silicon Valley while residing in California. After retiring, he moved home, led the local Elks lodge as an exalted ruler, and went to activities with the American Legion, where he met his girlfriend, Sandy Taucer.
Sandy and Marvin enjoyed many years of poker with their SEH Hold ‘Em poker family. During his retirement, he started his next career as a farmer. He raised cattle and enjoyed caring for his herd. He became friends and enjoyed many years of friendship with his neighbor, Sidney Lee and family.
He was the eldest son of Luther Martin “LM” Jr. and Martha Elvera “Vera” Crosby Watkins.
Survivors include his son, David Marvin (Lori) Watkins, Olalla, WA; his daughter, Vicki Lynn Watkins, Discovery Bay, CA; a sister, Beth (Howard) Hudlow, Hartwell; two brothers, Jerell (Rosanna) Watkins, Blackshear and Dwayne (Wanda) Watkins, Versailles, KY; three grandchildren, Eric Watkins, Reese Watkins-Nelson and Tate Watkins-Nelson; three great-grandchildren, Alexander Watkins, Niko Watkins and Allanah Watkins; his girlfriend, Sandy Taucer, Blackshear and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Visitation will be held held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Thigpen officiating.
Interment will be in the Bristol Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Mike Nash, Bryan Watkins, Sam Watkins, Reese Watkins, Slade Dixon and Sidney Lee.
Honorary pallbearers will be Chad Nash, Otis Chandler, Barney Crosby, Donnie Watkins and Sidney Dixon.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials be made to the Elks Lodge www.elks.org or to the givers local Elks Lodge as well as any Veterans organization the giver chooses.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
