Wilson David Watkins Jr.

NORTHPORT - Wilson David Watkins, Jr., age 90, of Northport, Ala., passed away June 14, 2019. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

David was preceded in death by his father, Wilson D. Watkins, Sr.; mother, Trannie Watkins; daughter, Debbie Mabuce; and son, Larry W. Watkins.

He is survived by his wife, Mary E. Watkins of Northport, Ala.; sons, Terry W. Watkins (Wanda) of Northport, Ala., Randy W. Watkins (Shirley) of Beaufort, North Carolina, and David W. Watkins (Anna) of Austell, GA; sister, Magdalene McDaniel of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; daughter-in-law, Linda Watkins of Northport, Ala.; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Wilson David Watkins, Jr., born March 20, 1929, was known to family as Jr. and to friends as David. He was a man who loved God and a man who loved his family with all his heart. Hereafter, he will be referred to as Dad.

Dad was born to a family that loved him so much. He surely was a Mama’s boy. He loved his mother so much. He was an awesome brother to all of his siblings. He leaves behind a special sister he called Sister Mag. They had a special love for one another that lasted 90 years.

Dad was no stranger to hard work or hard times. Born in 1929 he went through the Great Depression, which shaped a lot of his attributes. Dad was a hard worker, a good provider, diligent and committed to doing the best for his family. Dad drove a tractor trailer truck for 44 years. He was awarded The Safe Driving Award for his many years of being on the road.

Dad also was an entrepreneur with little education but a “Big Vision”. He was so blessed and he would be the first to tell you, it was because of the “Good Lord’s blessings on him”. After 44 years on the road Dad retired from the road, not from life.

On December 7, 2008 (Pearl Harbor Day) he married one of the loves of his life, Mary Elizabeth Watkins. One thing I can tell you, Dad loved Miss Mary with all his heart!! Dad was 80 years old when this happened. Dad felt so blessed to find love and happiness again. They spent every day together, doing the things they loved. Somedays just sitting outside on their porch or in the swing. This was always after having breakfast, because he loved her homemade biscuits. There is so much I could share about Dad, his love, his hope, his heart. It would take hours. I could entertain you with the many stories my Daddy always told me; stories his Daddy told him. I know them all by heart.

Dad loved all his children, equally. He always told me he helped some more than others but it was not because he loved them more but they just seemed to need a little more help. One thing I will leave you with about Dad, he wanted to make sure all his children were taken care of. But most of all, Dad loved God with all of his heart. Dad’s faith was with him and this faith sustained him until the very end of his life. Dad, we will see you again, so you go rest high on that mountain. Your life’s legacy was amazing. Now enter into the peace and tranquility of the Father in Heaven. You have run your race, you have finished your course. Now rest, O Blessed One!!!

Honorary pallbearers are Northport DCH, Brookdale Senior Living, and Hospice of West Alabama.