Larry Watkins

Memorial Biography

Sunrise began for Larry Darnell Watkins on January 21, 1953. He was the second child born to Ruby Watkins in Tunica Mississippi. He was 2 years old, when he and his family moved to St. Louis Missouri in 1955. Confessing Christ at an early age, he was of the Baptist faith. Larry was educated in the St. Louis Public School system and graduated from Soldan/Blewett High School in 1972. He enlisted in the Navy in Spring of 1974, was honorably discharged, and became an EMT and Firefighter in 1977. Larry had two daughters Shawanda Michelle Watkins with Carolyn Fletcher and Latisha She’Nee Watkins with Genoria Huddleston. Larry worked for many years at the St. Louis City Fire Department. His favorite pastime was testing and sharpening his knowledge base while watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune game shows. In his younger years you could often find him playing basketball in the park. Later in life, Larry moved to Chicago Illinois where he joined Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. On Friday morning, November 27, 2021, at 7:10 am the sun set for Larry Darnell Watkins. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Beatrice Dantzler; grandfather, Bruce Garrett; Mother, Ruby Garrett; Father, Hayes Odom; and brother, Jerry Watkins. Larry leaves to cherish his memory: daughters, Shawanda (Reggie) Richardson and Latisha (Brian) White; grandchildren Reggie, Nariah, Aniya, Cohran & Chancellor; great grandchildren Q’oria & Amauri; brothers Walter (Dorothy) Garrett & Lonnie (Tina) Turnipseed, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His absence leaves a tremendous void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.