Gene Watkins

Elmer Eugene “Gene” Watkins, 83, of Lexington passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, October 21, 2022, in the Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel with the Rev. Randy Foster officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Forest Hill Memorial Park.

Gene was born on May 19, 1939, in Davidson County to Benjamin Franklin Watkins and Rosa Haltom Watkins. He was a retired truck driver, having driven for Shelba D. Johnson for 25 years. Gene had an infectious personality, was a wheeler and dealer, and would always keep you laughing. He was a loving father, brother, and grandfather, whose memory will be cherished forevermore. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Kepley Watkins; his son, Tony Watkins; his grandson, Griffin Owens; and a brother, Jerry Watkins.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving children, Allison Watkins Owens (Rondall), and Bobby Watkins (Rachel); his grandchildren, Samantha Watkins, Olivia Owens, Hayden Owens, Cody Bryant, and Tony Tussey; three brothers, Don Watkins, Claude Watkins (Carol), and Paul Watkins (Peggy Smith); and his longtime friend, Danny Smith.

Memorials may be directed to Meals on Wheels of Davidson County at 104 E Center St, Lexington, NC 27292.

Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net