Mitchell Lee Watkins

Always enjoying the limelight and liking to be the center-of-attention, Mitchell Lee Watkins, age 83, of Converse, Texas and originally of Canton, North Carolina, passed away on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022.

He is predeceased by his loving wife, Helen Kerley-Watkins, age 80 (October 12, 2018); his son, Richard Watkins, age 42 (February 11, 2004); his father, Norman Watkins (April 6, 1994); his mother, Frances Warren-Watkins (December 23, 2003); his step-mother, Mary Fletcher-Watkins (November 21, 2004); younger brother Dennis Watkins (January 15, 2021); his nephew, Jeremy Watkins (December 28, 2019); his sister-in-law, Georgianna Watkins (November 16, 2016); his great-nephew, Alexander Berrueta (June 19, 2017); his father-in-law, Richard Kerley (July 30, 1981); his mother-in-law, Edith Kerley (August 9, 2017); his brother-in-law, Floyd Kerley (June 13, 2018); his sister-in-law, Janice McAbee-Kerley (April 11, 2018); and his very close friend, Sharon Young (November 24, 2020).

He is survived by his “Number-One-Son,” Mitchell Lee Watkins Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Williams-Watkins; his daughter, Rebecca Ann Conran-Bridgewater; his “Number-One-Bestest-Ever-Son-In-Law,” Larry Bridgewater; his granddaughters Kaitlyn Conran, Emily Conran, and Lauryn Conran; his younger brother Douglas Watkins; his younger sister, Norma Raines; his sister-in-law Betty Watkins; and his very close friends, J. B. Case, Betty Ferguson, and Tommy Young. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins of the first, second, and third variety – all much too numerous to mention by name.

Mitchell, Chief, or Mick as he was often called by his wife and friends was a loving husband, father and comrade to all – he never met anyone he didn’t try to win over as a friend – waitstaff at restaurants, nurses, doctors, therapists, even strangers in waiting rooms. He maintained his cheerful demeanor until legionella pneumonia took him unexpectedly from all those he loved and all who loved him.

He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force (USAF), serving 30 years and retiring in 1987. During his military career as an Administrator, he received several awards and commendations:

• SMANSHIP Ribbon

• NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with One Oak Leaf Cluster

• Army Good Conduct Medal

• AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon With Six Oak Leaf Clusters

• National Defense Service Medal

• Vietnam Service Medal With Three Service Stars

• Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm

• AF Outstanding Unit Award

• AF Organizational Excellence Award

• AF Good Conduct Medal With Seven Oak Leaf Clusters

• Bronze Star Medal

• Joint Service Commendation Medal

• AF Overseas Service Long Tour Ribbon

• AF Overseas Service Short Tour Ribbon With One Oak Leaf Cluster

• AF Training Ribbon

• AF Commendation Medal With Two Oak Leaf Clusters

• Meritorious Service Medal With Three Oak Leaf Clusters

While with the Air Force, he served one tour of duty in Vietnam and one tour in South Korea.

Before pursuing his second career, he attended Texas State University, then known as Southwest Texas State University, to complete his degree. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1991. After graduation, he pursued a career as a Claims Adjustor for United Services Automobile Association (USAA), retiring in 2010. He then pursued his third career as a tax preparer, working seasonally for H & R Block.

After finally giving up working altogether – although he continued to do some family and friends’ yearly tax returns, he pursued his fourth and final career as a fulltime (1) husband (until his spouse’s death in 2018), and (2) father and grandfather (until his untimely demise on Christmas day).

He was and is loved and will be sorely missed. It is fitting that Mitchell Lee Watkins’ obituary is closed with the poem, “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me” by David Romano:

If tomorrow starts without me,

And I’m not here to see,

If the sun should rise and you find your eyes

All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things

We didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you

And each time you think of me,

I know you’ll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name

And took me by the hand.

He said my place was ready,

In heaven far above

And that I’d have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

But as I turned and walked away

A tear fell from my eye.

For all my life I’d always thought,

I didn’t want to die.

I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do.

It seemed almost impossible

That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays;

The good ones and the bad.

I thought of all the love we shared,

And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,

Just even for a while,

I’d say goodbye and kiss you

And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories

Would take the place of me.

When I thought of worldly things

I might miss come tomorrow

I thought of you and when I did

My heart was filled with sorrow.

When I walked through heavens gates

I felt so much at home.

God looked down and smiled at me

From his great golden throne.

He said, “This is eternity

And all I’ve promised you”

Today your life on earth has passed

But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,

but today will always last;

And since each day is the same

There’s no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful

So trusting and so true.

Though there were times you did some things

You knew you shouldn’t do.

You have been forgiven

And now at last you’re free.

So, won’t you come and take my hand

And share my life with me?

So, when tomorrow starts without me

Don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I’m right here in your heart.

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