SFC (Retired) Rev. Lamar Watkins, age 75, of Augusta, Georgia (formerly of Rome, GA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at his home following a long battle with cancer. He was born on July 5, 1948 in Rome, Ga to the late Benjamin Jacob and Mary Elizabeth (Donaldson) Watkins. He was a 1966 graduate of Main High School. Rev. Watkins was a veteran of the United States Army having served for 24 years. Lamar loved the Lord, his family, and his close friends. He was license to the Gospel Ministry on November 30, 2008 by Rev. Gary Kerr of First Baptist Church of Keysville and on January 15, 2017 he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry at New Life Community Fellowship Baptist Church by Rev. Dr Larry Augurson. Rev. Watkins was presently an Associate Minister at Windsor Spring Baptist under the leadership of Pastor Paul Roberson.

He was preceded by his parents and brothers Herbert, Jacob, John Willie, Coolie and Bobby Gene.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife Terri (Crowley) Watkins; daughters, Janice Watkins, Tamara (Jerry) Wright of Rome, Ga. Johnnie (Chris) Ellis Fayetteville, N.C. and Demetria Watkins, Hephzibah, GA.; sons, Delmar Watkins of Atlanta Ga., and Daryl (April) Watkins, Sandy Springs, GA.; sister, Annie (Pat) Jones of Rome, Ga. thirteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Thomas Crowley of Rome, Ga and Scott Crowley of Evans, GA.; sisters-in-law, Deborah (Victoria Fussell) Moses of San Leandro, CA, and Jennifer (Bobby) Browning of Thornton, CO.; mother-in-law, Emma Crowley of Thornton, CO.; a very special Godson Lamar Owens of Augusta, GA.; Several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am, Wednesday May 22, 2024, at Windsor Spring Baptist Church 3692 Windsor Spring Road, Hephzibah, Ga. Interment, 10:30 am, Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga.

*Visitation for Rev. Watkins will be Tuesday May 21, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Kinsey & Walton Funeral Home, 3618 Peach Orchard Rd. Augusta, Ga. and F. K. Jones Funeral Home, 1205 MLK, Jr. Blvd Rome, Ga. on Thursday March 23, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.