Mason Baxter Watkins Jr.

Mason Baxter Watkins Jr. was born on March 2nd, 1941 to the late Mason Baxter Watkins Sr. and Anne “Annie” Blanche Moser Watkins in Charlotte, NC. The oldest of three boys, Mason helped his father on the farm. He was bailing hay before he was school aged and learned all the aspects of farming throughout his childhood.

Mason was married to his late wife, Carolyn Aline Phillips Watkins on June 5, 1960. They were blessed with two beautiful children, Cathy and Robert. Outside of working on the farm, he worked for Laminated Top Company and retired from Solid Tops Company at the age of 62.

Mason, Jr. was also known as “Pawpaw” to his 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He loved when they would come out to farm so he could take them out to see what he planted and ride on his Gator. Pawpaw loved his farm. He loved nothing better than piddling around in his garden and enjoying the sunshine. He would plant vegetables on his farm and give them away to family and friends. Every year he planted around 700 tomato plants in red solo cups and gave them out to anyone who wanted to plant them at their house. He loved family companionship and sitting on his front porch and enjoying the outside.

His biggest love and companionship in the last 8 years have been his 4 dogs. Tippy, Zunnie. Baxter and Charlie. He was so relieved that he was able to come home for one last night to say goodbye to them. He was dearly loved and cherished as the family’s patriarch and will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his 3 children, Cathy Watkins Thomas (Jeff), Robert Mason Watkins (Michelle) and Terri W Crook( Larry), 8 grandchildren, Cole Watkins (Taylor), Alec Thomas (Carter), Blake Thomas (Arlynn) Jenny Thomas Hammett (Jeff), Shaun Thomas (Stephanie), Caitlin Crook, Aimee Crook, and Tim Rowe, and 9 great-grandchildren, Chance, Kendall, Brooke, Audrey, Kamryn, Grady, Jamison, Charlotte, and Hayden.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in his memory.

The visitation for Mason will be held Monday, April 14, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 1915 Oakdale Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216. A funeral service will occur Monday, April 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM at the Church. A committal service will follow Pleasant Grove Cemetery.