John Ray Watkins

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.