Calvin C. Watkins

Calvin Coolidge Watkins, Sr., son of the late John and Lovey Watkins, was born on August 28, 1926, in Baltimore, Md. He departed this life in his home on November 9, 2001 after a lengthy illness. Calvin, or “Sport” as he was so well known, served in World War II under the U.S. Navy and often told stories about his experiences and travels around the world. Sport was the neighborhood dad and everyone knew him for his tough love. He took no shortcuts and had the tendency to “tell it like it is.’ Sport was the kind of man that you could call for advice on anything. He attended public schools until the 6th grade when he went on to gain employment to help take care of his mother as well as his brother and sisters. Although Sport only had a 6th grade education, one would not know it because he loved to read, and did so quite often; he helped his children and grandchildren with home assignments each and every school year. Sport loved to read the Sunday paper and watch the Discovery Channel. Shortly after his service in the United States Navy, he went on to work for Roadway Express Trucking Company for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1991. Unknown to most Sport grew up with the nickname “Plink” which was given to him by his mother, because he loved to hit the keys on the family piano, which made the sound “plink” when her hit them. Sport was a devoted husband to his lovely wife of 29 years, Gladys C. Watkins. Together they raised five children, and four grandchildren. Sport leaves to rejoice in his homegoing: his loving and devoted wife, Gladys C. Watkins; two daughters, Rosalind Walters and Carolyn Smith; two sons Calvin C. Watkins, Jr., and Kirk Ivan Watkins; one sister, Rose Hines; two brothers, Benton (Big Babe) Watkins and Neal (Little Babe) Watkins; predeceased by three brothers and three sisters, Ivan (Buddy) Watkins, Elmer (Nooky) Watkins, John (Bootsy) Watkins, Ursula M. Taylor, Annie (Teenie) Overton, and Catherine Brown; one predeceased son, Rodney R. Hicks. Sr., one son-in-law, Melvin Walters, Sr., two daughters-in-law, Pamela Watkins and Allison Watkins; five grandchildren, Rodney, Jr., Chekesha, Melvin, Roshell and Calvin Coolidge Watkins, III. He also leaves seven sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Calvin C. Watkins

August 28, 1926 - November 9, 2001