Obituary of John Thomas Watkins

COLUMBIA—John Thomas Watkins passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2013. Mr. Watkins was born March 21, 1921 in Anson County, NC. He was a son of the late John T. Watkins and Pearly Harward Watkins Burr. He served his country for 6 years in the United States Army and the United States Navy Seabees in the Aleutian Islands and South Pacific. A member of the "Greatest Generation", John flew to Washington, DC in 2007 with the Honor Flight. Mr. Watkins had a long standing history with the Home Builders Association of South Carolina and he was a Charter Member of the HBA of Columbia, in its inception on January 21, 1957. He served as President of the HBA of Columbia in 1964, State President 1970 and as the National Life Director. He was one of the organizers of the Annual Legislative Bird Supper. John was the first Director of the Residential Home Builders Commission from its inception until his retirement in 2000. In 1991 Mr. Watkins received the Hammer & Trowel Award which recognizes a public official for aiding the building industry. In 1997 he was inducted into the South Carolina Home Builders Hall of Fame. Mr. Watkins was also a member of the Jamil Shriners Motor Patrol. John joined Incarnation Lutheran Church on April 14, 1946. He was Chairman of the Property Committee for over 30 years and on the church council on numerous occasions. He is also a life member of the Lutheran Men in Mission. He is survived by his daughters, Betty Coogler Hollingsworth and Debra Marcus Phillips (Eddie); grandchildren, Tommy Hollingsworth (Leah), Bradley Hollingsworth, Cheri Marcus Coppens (Daniel) and Thomas Mitchell Marcus of Atlanta, GA; great-grandchildren, Grace Evans Hollingsworth, Lindsay Steele Hollingsworth, Paul Bradley Hollingsworth, Jr., Thomas Watkins Hollingsworth and Chandler Paul Coppens; brothers, Hugh Watkins, Carol Burr (Loretta) and Harold Burr (Toni); sister, Josephine Alexander (Al). Those who preceded him in death, his beloved wife of 50 years, Annie Mae Mefford Watkins, sisters, Alma Watkins Webb and Ruth Watkins Gray; brother, William Howard Watkins; son-in-law, Paul E. Hollingsworth. Funeral services for John T. Watkins, 92, of Columbia, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 24, 2013 at Incarnation Lutheran Church, 3005 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205. The Reverend Dr. Mary W. Anderson, The Reverend Dr. James C. Parham III and The Reverend David A. Donges, Retired Bishop, SC Lutheran Synod will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Tommy Hollingsworth, Bradley Hollingsworth, Thomas Mitchell Marcus, David Mefford, Craig Mefford, Mike Mefford and John Halloran. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Greenlawn Funeral Home. The family has entrusted Greenlawn Funeral Home to handle the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Incarnation Lutheran Church 3005 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205 or Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia, Charitable Foundation, 625 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The family would like to thank the entire staff of NHC-Parklane for their loving care given to John during his illness. On-line condolences may be sent to www.greenlawn-columbia.com.