Thursday, April 16, 2026 3:55 pm

Deacon Joey Wayne Watkins departed this life and transitioned into eternal life surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Carolinas Medical Center Main in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born on January 22, 1963 to the late Sharon Watkins and Ted Watkins.

Deacon Watkins was a 1981 graduate of Shelby High School. He retired from National Gypsum in Mount Holly where he worked diligently for many years.

Deacon Watkins was a member of Mt. View Baptist Church, where he also served on the finance committee and loved serving his church and church family.

Deacon Watkins was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He thoroughly enjoyed watching Nascar, wrestling, making crafts, canning vegetables, drinking sundrop, making slushies, and cheering for the Washington Commanders.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Mullinax; grandparents, Joe and Hester Watkins, and Wayne and Gloria Beam.

Deacon Watkins leaves behind many memories to cherish to his loving wife, Tamala Blair Watkins, of the home; one daughter, Sara Marklin (Jim); one bonus daughter, Kersee Littlejohn (Tracy), all of Shelby; three grandsons, Aiden Marklin, Sentez, Thurman, Za'neven Littlejohn; two granddaughters, Za'liyah Littlejohn, and Nyla Ross; two sisters, Donna Putnam (Darrell), of Kings Mountain, and Crystal Russ (Clint) of Fallston; two brothers, Gary Watkins (Dewanna) of Dallas, and Darrel Butler (April) of Shelby; six sisters-in-love, Deborah Blair, Katrina Blair, Terry Blair, Pamela Peachz London, Olivera Shaw (Jermain), and Carol Washington; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Mountain View Baptist Church. Family and friends are invited to gather for a Quiet Hour from 1:30 PM until 2:00 PM, prior to the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.