Paul Herbert Watkins

Paul Herbert Watkins was born November 30, 1940 in Fort Moultrie South Carolina, to Theodore Herbert and Jule Pauline Watkins. An only child, Paul was loved deeply by his parents and his Lord. He lost his father early, and after his step father’s passing, cared for his mom until her passing in 2011.

After graduating from high school, Paul enlisted in the Marine Corps. On April 17, 1961, he was one of 1400 known as Brigade 2506 that landed on beaches along the Bay of Pigs. He spoke rarely of this mission but it certainly left an impact. Upon reaching the rank of Corporal, and receiving an honorable discharge, Paul moved to Raleigh.

He went to work for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad on October 27, 1964 as a switchman- trainman in Raleigh, NC and was later promoted to be a conductor. He worked between Hamlet, North Carolina and Richmond, Virginia on a variety of assignments in both positions. Paul retired from the CSX Railroad on December 1, 2002. (The railroad companies merged and changed their names three times during his career, but he was working in the same location.) He enjoyed almost 20 years of peaceful retirement.

Paul joined Hiram 40 Masonic Lodge and became a Master Mason on August 31, 1965. He remains a member in good standing with almost 57 years of membership.

Paul was disciplined in his health regiment and despite two knee and one hip replacements, he never wavered from going on his daily walks, gym workouts and swimming. He ate everything healthy, unless visiting a friend where he ate everything put in front of him and loved every bite.

Paul was a great friend. He was a kind, loving, humble, and very giving man, respected and loved by coworkers, his brother Masons and Marines, his neighbors and all of his four-legged buddies for whom he always had treats. He was principled, a man of fortitude who held his personal trials close, but his giving up front. A loss to us all and we will miss his presence.

A funeral service for Paul will be held Friday, April 15, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the WATKINS family.