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In Memory

Charles Edward Watkins - Class Of 1963 VIEW PROFILE

Charles Edward Watkins

CHARLES E. WATKINS

Aug. 10, 1945 - March 8, 2014 SOUTH BEND - Mr. Charles Edward Watkins, 68, of South Bend, Indiana departed this life at 1:55 P.M. on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Hospice House of St. Joseph County surrounded by his loving family. Charles was born on August 10, 1945 in South Bend, to the union of Gus and Josie (Finney) Watkins; they both preceded him in death.

He was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age, and was baptized at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. He later became a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon by the late Reverend Charles G. Rowlett. Charles served as a deacon and attended Sunday school faithfully until his health failed him.

Charles was educated in the South Bend Community Schools and graduated in 1963 from South Bend Central High School; he went on to attend Indiana University in South Bend.

He completed training at the American Institute of Banking. Charles' employment history includes serving as a branch manager at First Bank and Trust, Deputy Controller for the City of South Bend; Sales Rep for the Xerox Corporation; Information and Referral for United Way of St. Joseph County, and Automotive Sales Executive at the former Dreisbach Cadillac, Joe Hayden Ford, and Shamrock Lincoln Mercury. He eventually retired from the position of Executive Sales for Highland Cemetery. Charles' love for inspiring and helping youth led him to a post-retirement position as a GED Training Counselor for Hope Rescue Mission, where he worked until early 2014. Charles was affiliated with numerous community and civic organizations. He served as President of the Martin Luther King Senior Men's Club, and was recipient of the Man of the Year Service Award from the South Bend Jaycees Inc.

Charles leaves to cherish his many fond and loving memories, his loving companion, Loucindy Pruitt of South Bend; three daughters: Jacquelyn Watkins of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tarisha (Moreland) Boyd, and Elayna (Claytus) Ball, all of South Bend; grandchildren: Brittany Boyd of Indianapolis, Indiana, D'Vaunt'e Boyd, Erianna Ball, and Jordan Ball, all of South Bend; three sisters: Charlotte (Samuel) Moore of Milwaukee Wisconsin, Eugenia Jenkins and Dorinda (Larry) Bond, all of South Bend; one brother, Reverend Delbert (Kalendria) Watkins of Douglasville, Georgia; a special Godson, Gregory (Sabah) Harris of Durham, North Carolina; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Along with his parents Gus and Josie Watkins,

Charles was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Hattie Finney Sr.; and paternal grandparents, Phil and Lucille Watkins.

Charles loved spending time with his family; he enjoyed cooking and grilling and he was an avid fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Services will be held on Friday, March 14, 2014 in Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 116 N. Birdsell Street, South Bend. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Sign his guest book at www.clarkoneal.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Mar. 12, 2014.

03/09/2023 EJS



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