John (Buddy) Wade Watkins

John Wade “Buddy” Watkins, 66, of Tyro Community went home to be with his Lord Jesus Wednesday, February 26, 2014, following several years of declining health. John 3:16 A celebration of his life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Davidson Funeral Home with the Revs. Sam Harvey and Billy Louya officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park in the Garden of Faith. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and other times at the home. There will be a family gathering with friends at Christian Baptist Church Fellowship Hall following the service. Buddy was born August 24, 1947, in Davidson County, to John Henry Watkins and Mozelle Strickland Watkins. A lifelong resident of Davidson County, he worked hard since he was 15 years old in cotton mills, furniture factories, trucking companies; and at PPG where he received a “Perfect Attendance Certificate” in 1985; and a “Gold Sheet Certificate” for Excellent job performance. He retired from the City of Lexington Garage as Service Mechanic I in 2003 after suffering a stroke; with 18 years and four months of dedicated service. He took great pride in servicing the city vehicles (police cars, fire trucks and heavy equipment). He valued the safety and friendship of his co-workers throughout the city. They were his extended family. On April 24, 1977; he married his “best friend” and “true love of his life” Becky Cupp Watkins. Buddy and Becky were blessed to be the first couple to exchange their wedding vows at the Jr. Order Children’s Home Chapel Highway 8 Lexington. He was a faithful member of Christian Baptist Church; where he served as usher. He loved his Lord Jesus, his family and spending time with friends. He enjoyed gospel singings, the outdoors, all of God’s creation. His collection of Black Bear items was very special to him. To relax in life he enjoyed mowing yards, fishing, watching clogging, T.V. game shows and the weather channel. Loved to grill out, eat out and family reunions. Special places were the mountains and the beach; favorite vacations were Disney World, Niagara Falls, NY/Canada, Texas/Mexico; and cruising Alaska and Hawaii. He was a treasured husband, father and “Paw Paw”; a special “Uncle Buddy”, brother, son, cousin and friend. He was better known by his barber as “Texas Cowboy”. Loved and known by special friends just as “Mr. Neighbor”. Eccles. 3:1-8. Buddy will be remembered by all that knew him as a “Quiet and Simple Man” who touched so many lives with his faith and trust in Jesus; a dear friend with a “Special Smile”; a loving and “Perseverance Man”. Phil 4:13. He was preceded in death by his Loving Mother on March 28, 2002; and by his Father on October 15, 1962. Buddy leaves behind to cherish his memory and his “Special Smile” his loving and devoted wife of 37 years Becky of the home; leaving his legacy of faith for his son, Jonathan “Keith” Watkins and wife Tessa of Conover; daughter, Amy Michelle Watkins Thomas and husband Randy; granddaughters, Elaina and Jessica Finney; sister, Linda Akers and husband Greg, all of Lexington; stepfather, Frank Ashby and wife Margaret and family of Clemmons; a host of nieces and nephews; great and great-great-nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Ken and Ann Cupp of Lexington and Danny Cupp of Midland Texas; his church family and many dear friends. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation for all the love and support from everyone who helped in so many ways; with dialysis transportation, all who had part in his medical care and the continued prayers from all during Buddy’s years of declining health; and at this time. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American Red Cross, 815 Phillips Avenue, High Point, NC 27262; Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Dialysis, 2318 Old Salisbury Road, Lexington, NC 27292; WFBH- Lexington Medical Center Out Patient Center, 250 Hospital Drive, Lexington, NC 27292; Christian Baptist Church Building Fund, 11874 S. NC Highway 150, Linwood, NC 27299; or a memorial donation of books to the Brenner’s Children Hospital, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. Thank you to all of the staff of his favorite BBQ restaurants special service with a caring smile. A special thank you, to the owners and staff at Smokey Joe’s BBQ, where he was treated like family for many years.