Jerry Watkins

August 23, 1946 - January 18, 2012

Biography Jerry Horace Watkins, age 65, of Marietta passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Emory-Adventist Hospital in Smyrna. Jerry was born to Horace Lewis Watkins and Della Jumper Watkins on August 23, 1946 in Augusta, GA. Jerry had retired from Wither's Manufacturing after many years of dedicated service as a tool and dye maker. He was also a Vietnam Veteran having served in the U.S. Navy. He was a decorated Veteran and had obtained the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. In addition to his many achievements in the Navy, Jerry also had passed several leadership and medical courses to prepare for combat. After suffering from a stroke, Jerry was mostly home bound, but he never let that bring him down. Everyone can remember him always smiling no matter what the circumstance. He made the best of his situation and found joy in his family. He loved socializing and being around everyone. In his spare time, Jerry enjoyed watching television, one of his favorite shows being Law and Order. He also enjoyed playing on his computer and surfing the web. Jerry Horace Watkins is preceded in death by his son, Chuck Watkins; father, Horace Lewis Watkins; and brother, Robert H. Watkins. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay Reid Watkins of Marietta; son, Robert Watkins; mother, Della Nappier of Hiram; sisters, Joy and her husband Tony Florence of Dallas, Cathy and her husband Rev. Rick Thomas of Temple, Lynne and her husband Tim Smith of Hiram, Tina and her husband Doug Innman of Powder Springs, and Elly and her husband Ray Johnson of Hiram; brothers, Mike Nappier of Cartersville and Mitch Nappier of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; three beautiful grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. The family will receive friends 6:00pm-8:00pm Thursday, January 19, 2012 at White Columns Funeral Chapel in Mableton. A graveside service will be held at 10:30am at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton with his brother in law, Rev. Rick Thomas officiating. Interment will follow the graveside service.