Thomas Elbert Watkins

A visitation for Thomas will be held Monday, June 3, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Eternal Hills Funeral Home, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039. A funeral service will occur Monday, June 3, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039. A committal service will occur Monday, June 3, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, 3700 Stone Mountain Hwy, Snellville, GA 30039.

Thomas Elbert Watkins, 100, went home to be with God on May 24, 2024. Thomas was born November 29, 1923 in Columbus South Carolina to his parents Thomas B and Cora (Bowers) Watkins. After the passing of his mother, Thomas was raised by Oscar and Elma Pearce in Waycross, Georgia.

Thomas joined the United States Navy in 1941 as a Hospital Corpsman. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941 he was assigned to VER-1 (Medical Air Evacuation Squadron) in Guam. It was his duty as a Corpsman to travel on a C-54 transport plane to provide life saving aide to the wounded. He flew missions in various war zone areas including Honolulu, Hawaii; Okinawa, Japan; Johnston Island, United States; Kwajalein, Marshall Islands; Eniwetok, Marshall Islands; Smar, Philippines; Manila, Philippines; and Iwo Jima, Japan. His last mission was to Kisamaru, Japan; where he and his unit picked up Canadian Prisoners of War that had been held in custody for 6 years. Throughout his Navy career he earned the rank of Pharmacist Mate First Class, and was honorably discharged in December 1945.

Upon returning from the Navy, he attended Southern College of Pharmacy and graduated as a Pharmacist. Afterwards, he met and married Oteria (Sanders) in 1947. In 1970 Thomas was married again to Rosezetter until her death in 1992. Thomas and his brother, Franklin R Watkins, along with a friend, owned and operated two pharmacies in Atlanta. He went on to work at a number of hospitals; his last being Egleston Children's Hospital, where he retired at the age of 80. When he was not working, he enjoyed gardening, fishing and his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Cora Watkins; his brother. Franklin Rudolph Watkins; sister, Louise (Watkins) Brett; sister, Doris (Watkins) Peterson; his wife Rosezetter; his ex-wife Oteria (mother of his children); and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his daughter: Theresa (Steddy) Grisham, and his son: Thomas (Vicki) Watkins; his grandchildren: Tonya Grisham, Tina Grisham and Marcus Mac, Sandy (Gary) Becker, Thomas (Melissa) Watkins, and Ben (John) Watkins; and his great grandchildren: Ashley Grisham, Jamal Grisham, Tynia Grisham, Gavin Watkins, Harper Watkins, Dylan Rambo, Mila Watkins, Gary Becker, and Matthew Becker.