Jesse Clyde Watkins WATKINS

Jesse Clyde Watkins, age 81, of Green Cove Springs, died July 22, 2009 at Orange Park Medical Center. He was born in Kershaw, South Carolina and was a longtime resident of Jacksonville and Orange Park, moving to Green Cove Springs in 2000. Mr. Watkins served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. For many years he owned and operated his own commercial construction company, Watkins Builders. In addition, he was a longtime dedicated fire fighter with the Jacksonville Fire Dept., retiring as Captain in 1994. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Orange Park where he served as a deacon and was formerly a longtime member and deacon of Avondale Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He was a mason, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, a Shriner, and a member of Magnolia Point Country Club in Green Cove Springs. He is survived by his beloved wife, AuVerne L. "Verne" Watkins of Green Cove Springs; daughters, Lisa Watkins of Orange Park and Dr. Lana Watkins-Sherwood of Durham, N.C., and grandchildren, Brianna Sherwood, and Joshua Sherwood, who were the two loves of his life. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Watkins of Orange Park, and two sisters, Grace Shirley of Camden, S.C. and Sibyl Taylor of Kershaw, S.C. A memorial service was be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 25, at First Baptist Church of Orange Park with Rev. David Tarkington officiating. Donations in his memory can be made to: First Baptist Church of Orange Park, or Community Hospice of N.E. FL. St. Johns Family Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Pictures by Wayne Doolittle