Richard "Spook" Watkins

WATKINS, Mr. Richard "Rip" "Spook" - Age 66, passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. Family hour 10:30AM Saturday November 19, 2011 at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, 15 Mark St., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Pastor Billy D. Allen, officiating. Interment Perry Mount Park Cemetery, 878 N. Perry St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Saturday. Mr. Watkins will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 1-8PM Friday. Mr. Richard "Rip" "Spook" Watkins was born in Wall, Mississippi on August 26, 1945. He was united in matrimony to Kaye F. Guthery on May 10, 1985. Mr. Watkins accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by Reverend Amos G. Johnson at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Later, he joined Liberty Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Billy D. Allen. Mr. Watkins graduated from Pontiac Central High School, then joined the United States Army and received an honorable discharge. A retiree from the City of Pontiac, Department of Public Works (30 years of service), Mr. Watkins also attended and completed several courses in pre-law at Oakland University. Until his illness became critical, Mr. Watkins was an active member of the Liberty Mass Choir, Treasurer of the Male Chorus, and President of the Nurses Association (since2006). He was also an active member of the City Wide Choir Union and Treasurer of the Crystal Lake District Nurses Association. Mr. Watkins was also a founding member of the Love Travelers Van Club and the Dome City Truckers Van Club. He really enjoyed traveling, dancing, listening to the "blues" and card game "challanges." Mr. Watkins truly enjoyed gardening, fishing and hosting "fish fries" at his home. Mr. Watkins leaves to mourn and cherish his memories: his wife, Kaye; four daughters, Audrey (Jimmy) Campbell of Pontiac, Tracy (Retired Msgt. Norman) Harris of Crestview, FL, Angela Watkins and Paula Lamb also of Pontiac; three sons, Richard Clarence (Erika) of Baton Rouge, La, Anthony Watkins and Maurice Watkins of Pontiac, MI; twenty grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; He was affectionally known as "Pops" by all his children. Other surviving relatives include special brothers, Willie Lee (Delores) Watkins and Abraham (Antionette) Watkins; aunts, Bessie Phillips and Willie Mae Morehead of Memphis, TN; Mr. Watkins leaves a very special mother-in-law, Mrs. Gladys Guthery; brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and super friends and neighbors who shared mutually supportive relationships. Mr. Watkins was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Annie Mae Watkins; siblings, Clarence "Hammer", Andrew "Poor Chain", Willie T. "Pipe", Mattie Mae, Henry "Tennessee" and Jennie M. Washington of St. Louis, MO.

Richard "Spook" Watkins

August 26, 1945 - November 11, 2011