Elder Dr. Ralph Leander Watkins, 68, transitioned to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, NC.  Graveside services will be conducted from the Greenview Cemetery in Reidsville, NC on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Bryant serving as Eulogist.  Public viewing will be held on Monday, May 4, 2020 at McLaurin Funeral Home from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Elder Watkins, lovingly called 'Shaker' and 'PaPa', was born on February 21, 1952 in Caswell County, North Carolina to the late Robert and Thelma Watkins. In addition to his parents, brothers, Robert LeGrand Watkins and Norman Watkins preceded him in death.

Elder Watkins was a 1970 graduate of Reidsville Senior High School. He furthered his education at Rockingham Community College where he earned a Master Mechanic Certificate. He was a retiree of the American Tobacco Company. Following his retirement, he also worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and The Reidsville Parks and Recreation Department.

During his many years of employment at American Tobacco Company, he was called into the Ministry receiving his Certificate of License to Preach from Grooms Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Reidsville, NC. His commitment to ministry led him to achieve degrees in Religion and Philosophy from Shaw University, Master of Ministry from Freedom Bible College and Seminary, and a Doctorate in Divinity from Living Epistle Bible College.

Elder Watkins was a member of Piney Fork Progressive Primitive Baptist Church, Eden, NC, and the current Elder for Davis Progressive Primitive Baptist Church, Madison, NC. He previously served as Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Java, VA and as an associate Pastor at First Baptist Church, Reidsville, NC.

Elder Watkins loved serving his community. He never met a stranger and would often ask, 'Haven't I met you before?' He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Reidsville YMCA, member and past President of the Ministerial Alliance of Reidsville and Vicinity, member of The Fellows Club, Men in Christ, NAACP and the Lillian H. McLaurin Good Neighbor Association.

Elder Watkins was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle and a true friend to everyone. With hearts grateful for his life and saddened by his passing, he leaves to cherish his love and memories:  loving wife of 48 years, Jacqueline H. Watkins, of the home; sons, Damon 'DJ' Watkins, of Greensboro, NC and Dominique Watkins, of Reidsville, NC; daughters-in-law, Darlena Watkins and Kenyatta Watkins; sisters, Hilda Brown (James), Tilda Watkins-Morehead and Darlene Watkins, all of Reidsville, NC; brother, Melvin Watkins (Burrell), of Fayetteville, Arkansas; special sister-in-law, Alberta Watkins; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Davis, Barbara Smith, and Reathy Hart, all of Reidsville, NC, and Glenda Slade, of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Malia, Keyshaun, Darius and Devin; great-granddaughter, Teagan; godson, Frankie Hart Jr.; and an abundance of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

McLaurin Funeral Home is serving the family.