John Ray Watkins, 70, of Shelby, NC, passed away Monday, December 1, 2021, in his home.

Husband of Brenda Robbs Watkins, he was born in Forest City, NC and was a son of the late R.B. and Dorothy Simmons Watkins.

John was a veteran of the United States Army. He was awarded the Master of Divinity Degree at Gardner Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC. He was a former Pastor of Moore’s Grove Baptist Church and a former Counselor at Isothermal Community College in North Carolina.

He leaves to cherish loving memories: his wife, Brenda; a son, Jerome Watkins , of Forest City, NC; four daughters, Latondra Hackney (Duane), of Winston Salem, NC, Brooke Lake, of Forest City, Shawn Robbs, of Boiling Springs, SC, and Tonya Haney (Oscar), of Cowpens, SC; a brother, Anelson Watkins (Mary), of Charlotte; four sisters, Mattie Greene, Emma Brown (Donald), Debra Jones, and Ijuana Collier (Dwight), all of Charlotte; seven grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, 2:00 p.m., in Limestone Missionary Baptist Church, Gaffney, SC, with the Reverend Michael Golden officiating. Interment will be Thursday, December 12th, 11:00 a.m., in Salisbury Veteran Cemetery.