Etta Watkins

Etta Mae Harris Watkins was born in Lilesville, NC on June 3rd, 1946, to William Smith and Johnsie Harris. She passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021. She grew up in her grandparents’ home and at an early age was introduced to Christ while attending Henry Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Through high school, Etta attended Lilesville public schools but spent most of her life in Rockingham, NC where she was later married and raised her family. Etta always found a church home no matter where she lived. She and her family joined Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Rockingham, NC and after relocating to High Point, NC she became a member of Righteous in Christ Ministries.

For most of her life, Etta was a joyful homemaker and when she did work outside the home she held various jobs in textiles, hospitality, and as a health and childcare provider. Etta enjoyed meeting new people and was known to spark up long conversations with strangers; she was always making new friends. She most loved spending time with her grandchildren, working on her many hobbies and crafts, and tending to her plants.

Etta is preceded in death by her husband Robert Watkins, Jr., and two of their beloved children Edwina Reddick and Robert Watkins, III. Her parents have both passed on as well as loving step-father, Jehu Reddick; a sister, Belinda Harris; and brother, Jerrold Lynn Harris.

Etta will truly be missed by her beautiful legacy: two daughters, Carolyn Huggins (Anthony) of Spring Lake, NC and Constance Sanders (Billy Rae) of Winston Salem, NC. Her two sons, Kim Harris and John Kelsey Watkins both of Rockingham, NC; and a son-in-law, Robert Reddick of Garner, NC. Twelve grandchildren: Shaneka Harris of Orlando, FL; Tebores Harris of Hillsboro, NC; Derrelle Evans of Greenville, NC; Felicia Harris of Macon, GA; Telisha Evans of Raleigh, NC; Daquan Greene of Charlotte, NC; Kimberly Harris; Shantiqua Wall; Harrison Nelson; Jasmine Davis; and Brianna Self all from Rockingham, NC; and Natalia Sanders of Winston Salem, NC. Etta was blessed with fifteen great-grandchildren: Nicholas Sanders, whom she raised for most his life, of Winston Salem, NC; Jadin, Jordin, and Derrelle Evans Jr. of Greenville, NC; Dakota Terry of Winston Salem, NC; Jeremiah and Josiah Cason of Orlando, FL; Kameron and Kyrie Mclendon, Kamryn James, Kashlynn Cooke, Kevin, Camren and Kaleb Nelson, and A’zaria Jones, all of Rockingham, NC.

With fond memories, Etta leaves three sisters, Sarah “Faye” Harris; Nancy “Regina” Buchanan (Hilton); and Sharon Harris all of Rockingham, NC. Two brothers, Larry Patterson also of Rockingham, NC and Melvin Harris (Ethel) of Fort Mitchell, Alabama. Etta’s memory will also be cherished by two aunts Janie Harris of Lilesville, NC and Anne Harris of Washington, DC, along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and close family friends.