Willie Mae Watkins

Evangelist Willie Mae Watkins, 79, of Macon, Georgia, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at New Hope Baptist Church, 1465 Burton Ave, Macon, GA 31204. Bishop Donald Watkins, Jr. will serve as the eulogist. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the residence of Constance and Nicholas Scott. There will also be visitation on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the residence of Brianna Purnell.

Willie Mae was born on March 19, 1946, in Scottsdale, Georgia, to the late Ollie Higgins and the late Ella Mae Whaley. She was later adopted by her stepfather, the late Anty James Whaley. She was joined in holy matrimony to Bishop Calvin Watkins, Sr. on September 9, 1962.

Willie Mae retired from Kmart Corporation. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Malachi Raphael Watkins; her mother, Ella Mae Whaley; her father, Ollie Higgins; her adoptive father, Anty James Whaley; and her brothers, Bishop James Whaley and Anty James Whaley Jr.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving and devoted husband of 63 years, Bishop Calvin Watkins, Sr.; two loving daughters, Elder Constance Scott (Nicholas) and Evangelist Kimberly Moore (Terrence); a devoted son who cared for her daily, Prophet Calvin Watkins, Jr.; two sisters, Eddie Cato and Mamie Bentley; seven grandchildren, Tameshia, Ebony, Brittany, Courtney, Jasmine (DaJuan), Brianna, and Thomas “TJ”; seven great-grandchildren, Jae’Lynn, Allen, Elijah, Zemirah, Josiah, Zylah, and Eliannah; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and her beloved Open Door Pentecostal Church family. A repast will follow the service at Victory Church of Macon, 5049 Log Cabin Drive, Macon, Georgia 31204.