McKinley Lee Watkins was born November 9, 1954 to Willie Calvin Watkins Sr. and Annie Bell Morton Watkins Davis in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He succumbed to his battle against kidney cancer at Southside Community Hospital on October 10, 2024.

He started his education at Dunbar Elementary School in Baltimore, Maryland until the family settled in Prince Edward County where he continued his education in the Prince Edward County Public School system.

He was very young when he was baptized at Forest Baptist Church and attended church into his teenage years; but, at just 16 years of age (two years after his father’s passing) he wanted to join the United States Navy. Because he was so young, his mother was reluctant, but gave her signature and he was enlisted. He served five years aboard the USS Blue Ridge and received a Bronze Star and several commendations.

After the military, McKinley returned home and began to experience medical issues and was cared for by his mother until her passing in 2019. He was then cared for by his sister, Carolyn, until God called him home.

McKinley leaves so many loving memories to: his brothers, Willie C. Watkins, Jr. of San Diego, CA and Nathaniel Watkins of Baltimore, MD;; his sisters, Stella M. Watkins of Meherrin, VA; and Carolyn M Watkins of Keysville, VA; two nephews, Willie Cornell Watkins of Long Beach, CA and Carlos Damon Watkins of Cocoa Beach, FL; great nieces Janieyah (Ja-NY-ah) Watkins and Amiyah Skyy Thompson; great nephews, Jaheim Javonte Watkins, Jamarri Watkins, and Jikeem Watkins; and a host of cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. McKinley Lee Watkins will be held October 19, 2024 at 2:30 PM at the Forest Baptist Church in Meherrin Virginia, with interment in the church cemetery.