Deacon Ira (Isacc) Watkins was born July 19, 1931, in Mitchell County, Georgia.  He was ninth of ten children  of the late Alfred Watkins and Della Finney Watkins.

Growing up in Mitchell County, he received his formal education in the public school system.   Throughout school, he was a very bright and inquisitive young man who garnered much from his educational experiences.

From a very early age, Deacon Watkins was nurtured in the Word of God.  As a youth, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior; was baptized; and received the "right hand of fellowship" into the body of Christ at St. Mary Baptist Church.  Through the years, he served faithfully wherever needed in the church.  As he continued to avail himself in Christian service, he united with the Mt. Calvary Baptist church and was unfaltering in his devotion and calling as a Deacon.  He was a prayerful, humble man who didn't mind telling everyone about the goodness of God.  His encouraging words and the examples that he set served as blessings for many people.

In 1955, he was united in holy matrimony his life-long mate, Ardie Lee "Agnes" Durham.  They shared a love that was strong and a devotion to each other that was unshakeable.  Together, they worked to provide a home filled with love and support for their six children.  Deacon Watkins was a loving  husband, a dedicated father, and a great provider for his family.  Over the years, he enjoyed a very diverse career while employed at Radium Springs   Restaurant, Bob's Candy Company, Moree's Packing Company, and Beck Motor Company where he retired in 1993, having rendered innumerable years of loyal service.  In addition to his work life, he was also committed to civic, community, and fraternal engagements.  He was a long-standing member of the Eastside Free Masonry Lodge No. 152 in Dougherty County.

Deacon Watkins was a strong but gentle man whose heart was filled with kindness, care, and compassion for those that he knew and encountered.     He was a friend you could count on, a great listener, and an amazing communicator.  Oftentimes, he could be found engaging family and friends in a endless hours of thought-provoking conversations and sharing stories or words of wisdom.  He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of being a part of his life.

On July 26, 2021, Deacon Watkins' 90-year journey ended and he quietly transitioned to eternal peace and rest.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ardie Durham Watkins; his son, Isacc Watkins; and his siblings, Fred Watkins, James Watkins, Beauty Porter Adams, Nancy Silas, Reverend Timothy Watkins, Benjamin W. Watkins, Charles Watkins, Reverend John Lee Watkins, and Lorene Stella.

Loving memories will forever be cherished by his children, Cecil L. (Patricia) Watkins, Christopher Watkins, Avril Watkins Coley, Valerie Watkins, and Jacquelyn R. Watkins; sister-in-law, Ardie Dee Watkins; six grandchildren, Kimberly, Reuben, Niki, David, Dereca, and Jasmine; seventeen great grandchildren; Melvin Ashberry who endearingly called him Dad; and a host of  nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."                                             II Timothy 4:7-8