Thomas E. "Ed" Watkins, Jr.

Thomas E. “Ed” Watkins, Jr. passed away Monday, September 30, 2019, at the age of 77 years, having suffered for some time with Lewy Body Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy Monnell and Thomas E. Watkins, Sr. and his brother, Murray Glenn Watkins. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Martha Sue Warren Watkins and his beloved son Scott and daughter-in-love Denise Bricker Watkins; adored granddaughter, Sydney Watkins (boyfriend Carter Lambert); adored granddaughter and husband Ali and Wintz Terrell of Wauchula FL; sister-in-law, Cindy Watkins; brothers-in law, Eldridge Warren (Sandy) and Jack Warren (Patty); nieces and their families, Lisa Watkins McClure (Greg); Bobby Watkins; Missy Warren Scruggs (Greg); Shelly Warren Kelly (Shannon); Janine Warren Causey (Mike); Todd Warren (Melissa); several great nieces and nephews; several cousins and their families; extended family, Steve & Robin Teschner; Katie McClure (BJ); Brett Teschner (Megan); some awesome friends that are like family: Kim & Ross Adair; Lucy & Charlie Thompson; Nellie Almeroth; Jeanie Kelly Stockwell; Vickie & Dennis Malone; Harriett & Leo Thomas; Karen & Dick Bricker; his angelic caregiver, Madeline Davis, who was with him and his family through these last final months, loving and caring for him!; and his weekend sidekick, Carlos Torres, that for many years has provided assistance with anything Ed needed, including as a fill-in caregiver!Ed was a Georgia Native born October 12, 1941 in Columbus, GA. He moved to Florida following high school graduation in 1960, where he was going to attend the Ringling School of Art, but as fate would have it he started his multifaceted career at Sears where he met Martha Sue and married after 4 months. While in Sarasota, he worked for Sears and JC Penney in Display and Advertising; owned and operated a ladies to wear shop until he sold and moved to Atlanta GA, from there he worked in various industries in sales and general management with his final career venture, owning and operating a very diversified and successful business called Scott Graphics. He was a member of the Baptist Faith and was recently honored with a 50 year certificate and pin from The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, as a courtesy of the Phoenix Lodge No. 346 in Sarasota, Florida. He had been Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master of Mason on June 28, 1969 and maintained his active status until his death.Ed was very creative and a man of many talents, but wasn’t much into hobbies. He was happiest being with his family and friends, working in the yard, riding his tractor, or just being outdoors.The Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Thomas E. “Ed” Watkins, Jr, will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 12:30 PM at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, Snellville, GA. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your favorite children’s charity, or his choices: Shriner’s Children’s Hospital www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org, or Children’s Health Care of Atlanta www.choa.org.Condolences may be viewed or sent to www.wagesfuneralhome.com Tom M. Wages Funeral Services, LLC, “A Family Company” Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200, has been entrusted with the service arrangements.Read Obituary