Thomas McArthur Watkins

Rocky Mount - Thomas McArthur Watkins, came into this world on January 18, 1943 in South Boston, VA and departed it on November 8, 2019 at Kitty Askins Hospice Facility in Goldsboro, NC. He was the eldest child of the late Thomas Edward and Margaret McLemore Watkins. He was also preceded in death by his baby sister, Dolly Mae Watkins. Thomas leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife, Dora Watkins. He is also survived by two children, La-Tonia Hutcheson and Stanley Bobbitt and wife Minnie, his beloved grandson, James Bobbitt, Jahad Goodman, Asia Goodman, three great-grandchildren; his devoted brother, Donald Watkins and wife Eva, sister, Barbara Ross, sister-in-laws, Jacquelin Stewart and husband Gary, Gwendolyn Bobbitt and husband William, lots of family members and acquaintances. Tommy's family moved to Newark, NJ where he attended Central High School but he dropped out because he didn't like being called "country" so in 1961 he enlisted in the United States Army and while in the army received his GED and became a Sharpshooter. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1965 he returned to New Jersey and worked on various jobs and in 1975 he became employed with the City of Newark, NJ Manpower Program as a driver and the supervisor of the supply and delivery department. Tommy also met his second wife, Dora Bobbitt whom he married in 1996 while working at Manpower. In 1985 after nine years at Manpower, Tommy became self-employed as a Courier and became successful enough to purchase a home and moved his family to Roselle, NJ where they lived for 26 years. After retiring in 2016 they moved to Danville, VA for two years until his final resting place in Rocky Mount, NC. When Tommy wasn't working (which seemed to be all the time) aside from his regular job his side jobs were photographer, disco music and hot dog truck. He enjoyed repairing and making ham radios (CB's). He taught himself through reading and taking radios apart how to repair and make from scratch the CB radio. Tommy was known throughout the CB world far and wide as "Suntan Superman" and "Nature Boy" his favorite saying was "Why Me?" Tommy loved cars, tennis, golf and college football. It was no secret that he was a hard man but in that same breath you knew he was always fair. He wanted you to always do your best at anything and everything you did. A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home with Rev. Marvin Sharpe of Simon Grove Holiness Church in Wilson, NC will be officiating. A repass will follow the service at Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services 661 English Rd Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> (252) 937-8886 --> | Saturday 11/16, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home Service Location Not Available Saturday 11/16, 2:00 pm Funeral service following at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home Funeral service following at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home