John Clifford Watkins Sr. entered into eternal rest in the early hours of the morning on April 21, 2024 at Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville, Virginia. John, affectionately known as Clifford, was born on November 27, 1943 to the late Maria Hilton Watkins and Willie Wallace Watkins of Prince Edward County, Virginia.

Clifford joined Calvary Baptist Church of Pamplin, Virginia at an early age and remained a faithful member until his health begin to decline. Clifford was educated in Prince Edward County until the schools official closed in 1959. He stayed in Prospect and faithfully assisted his dad on the family farm. Throughout his adult life, Clifford worked at Stackpole in Farmville, Virginia and he worked at Armstrong Furniture in Appomattox, Virginia until his retirement due to health issues.

Clifford enjoyed going to bingo, being amongst family, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, as well as various sporting events.

Clifford was proceeded in death by: his wife, Dorothy “Nannie; his parents, Maria and Willie; sons, Clinton and “Baby Boy” Watkins; two sisters, Annie Gordon and Mary Moore; two brothers, Samuel and Leroy; great granddaughter, Alexis Lockett; two great grandsons; Aneal Walker and Amourre Watkins.

He leaves to cherish his legacy: daughters, Frances, Iva and Jewel all of Prospect, Virginia and Yvonne of Charleston, South Carolina; three sons, John Jr. “Bug” and Edwardo “Duck”, both of Prospect, Virginia, and Carl (Janella) of Chesterfield, Virginia; one sister, Ruby Taylor of Savannah, Georgia; one aunt, Ethel Green; three sisters in law, Rebecca Brown, Christine Watkins and Lula Mae Watkins; four brothers in law, Edward (Esther), Wilbur, Michael (Diane), and Mordecai; seventeen grandchildren; thirty eight great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.