Cover photo for Charles Watkins's Obituary
Charles Watkins Profile Photo
1941 Charles 2023

Charles Watkins

October 16, 1941 — May 11, 2023

It is with great sadness that the Watkins family announce the death of Charles Godfrey Watkins, known as Charlie.

Charles entered this life on October 16, 1941 and made his peaceful transition on May 11, 2023, just before midnight after a gradual decline in health. During the last days of his life, Charlie was surrounded by his loving wife Brenda, family members and his caretakers.


Charles was an only child born to the late Katherine Ford and Jess Watkins. He is preceded in death by his mother Katherine and father Jess along with two daughters Sandra and Diane Watkins.


Charles accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the age of 12. While growing up he was an active member of Mt. Moriah Baptist church in Middlesboro, Kentucky his home town.


Charles attended and graduated from Middlesboro City Schools in Middlesboro Kentucky. After graduation he attended Bowling Green University, Bowling Green Kentucky, earning a degree in Engineering. Upon graduation, he began his career with the Howmet Corporation as an Environmental Engineer, where he retired after 38 years.


Education was important to him and he took great pride in continuous learning. During his tenure with Howmet Corporation, he also received a colossal of certifications. Charles attended Purdue University earning an Associated Degree in Pollution Science, the University of Toledo earning a certificate of completion in Hazardous Material Chemistry, Certificate of Achievement in Regulatory Compliance Management from The Government Institute in Washington DC,


Certificate in Hazardous Material and Waste Management from the US Department of Transportation, and a certificate of Radiological and Control of Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation from Applied Health Physics Inc., in Bethel Park Pennsylvania.


Charles was a Freemasonry with Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Although he was a member of several lodges, he was most honored to uphold the title of Worshipful Master of Sampson Lodge No.58 for the years of 1988 and 1989.

In 1987 the Indiana Council of Deliberation presented Charles the Lodge of Perfection Award where he served as Thrice Potent Master of Lodge No.77 in Wabash Indiana.


In 1996, Charles was introduced to Brenda Kaye Willis and later relocated to Columbus, Ohio. On May 16, 1998, the two united in holy matrimony. Shortly thereafter, Charles became a member of Union Grove Baptist Church. During his time at Union Grove, Charles was a faithful member of the Male Chorus, and served as Secretary of the Laymen Auxiliary for two years.


Charles loved to dance and still had great moves even in his old age. He loved cooking and was one of the world’s greatest Chef and Grill Masters. He was a sports fanatic who loved The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, and University of Notre Dame. He loved and played golf.


He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving wife Brenda, a bonus son Terry, 2 brothers-in-law, Elvis (Joyce) and Jerry Willis (Bonnie), and 5 sister-in-law’s, Mamie, Mayola, Cleaster, Thelma, and Clara. Special cousins, Mary Lucy Robinson of Chicago, IL, Robert (Bobby) Bell of Michigan City, IN, Esther Costner of Lexington, Ky, Mildred King and David Ford of Detroit, MI, James Ford of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Williams Ford, Emma Lou Robinson, and Robert Ford of Akron, OH, Mary Ann James of Syracuse, NY, Claudia Mae Woods and Kent Quarles of Kansas City, MO.


A retired Engineer and piano player, Charles Godfrey Watkin’s love of life did not come to an end. With his death, his legacy will forever be left behind.


2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousness judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Watkins, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, May 22, 2023

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

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Funeral Service

Monday, May 22, 2023

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

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