Dorothy Watkins

Dorothy Virginia Smith Watkins of White Lake passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the age of 96.

Dorothy was born August 26, 1926 to Thaddeus Manley Smith, Sr. and Virginia Dyson Smith.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 56 years Fred Blake Watkins, son Fred Blake Watkins, Jr., sisters Melva Juanita Smith, Margaret Smith Gappins, brothers Thad M. Smith, Jr., Robert Brooks Smith and special cousin Mable Smith Jones. She is survived by son, Glenn Mark Watkins and wife Patricia, who was like a daughter, grandchildren, Trista Glyn Watkins, Thad Blake Watkins, and Tyler Mark Watkins.

Dorothy graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1943 as Valedictorian.  She then graduated from Worth Business College in 1945. Dorothy married Fred Watkins June 29, 1946 and began a life as a military wife of a career Naval officer. She traveled all over the world and the United States living on numerous Naval bases.  When Fred retired in 1960, they made their home in Fayetteville, NC, where she began a career in Civil Service at Fort Bragg, retiring from the John F. Kennedy Center. In 1984, she and Fred moved to her homeplace at White Lake where she doted on her grandchildren, which gave her the greatest pleasure in her life.  She was an avid reader, enjoyed working in her yard, bird watching, riding her golf cart but mostly spending time watching her grandchildren. She loved watching Carolina Tar Heel basketball, never missed a game and kept score to make sure no mistakes were made. She was a member of White Lake Baptist Church.

Dorothy will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends and relatives at her home at 3211 NC 53 East at White Lake from 2pm to 6pm Monday, January 23, 2023.

Graveside services will be held at Lafayette Memorial Park in Fayetteville, NC on Wednesday, January 25th at 11am with Rev. Walter Hayes officiating.