Charlotte M. Watkins

It is not how long one lives that determines one’s worth, but what one does with the life that God grants to one; that is the measuring rod, ‘The Lily of the Valley.’ On December 27, 2015, God picked from His garden one of his most precious flowers, Charlotte Millicent Watkins. She has slipped happily away to answer His heavenly call. Born in Baltimore, MD, on March 6, 1920, Charlotte was one of nine children born to the late Charles and Millicent Bazzle. Charlotte was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools, graduating in 1938 from Frederick Douglass High School. She continued her education at Morgan State College, earning a B.A. degree in Education in 1942. After achieving an M.A. from Columbia University in New York City, NY, Charlotte took additional post graduate level courses at Johns Hopkins University. She remained an active alumnus of the Morgan State College Class of 1942, participating in numerous activities over the years. In 1947, Charlotte was joined in holy matrimony to Norman P. Watkins, of Washington, D.C. From this union were born three sons, Norman Jr., William, and Charles. She poured all of her love, energy, and time into her family. While the boys were the light of her life, Charlotte took tremendous pride in “setting an elegant table” with lots of delicious food, using her cherished china, crystal, and silverware. Taking the time to ensure that each place setting was precisely the same, along with a beautiful floral arrangement, she made dining at her home an experience to remember. Charlotte was called by and answered to many names – Lottie, Lottie B., Bazzle, Sis, ‘GG,’ Granny, Mrs. Watkins, Mom, Ma and Mommy. She answered to everyone – family, students, friends, and colleagues – no matter by what title she was addressed by, with the same kind and loving spirit and voice. However, a good game of Scrabble or Pinochle would bring out her competitive nature. In what little spare time she had left, reading poetry and romance novels, sewing, and crocheting were her most treasured forms of relaxation. For 35 years, Charlotte was a devoted educator in the Baltimore City Public Schools System. She moved through the ranks as a teacher, supervising teacher, senior teacher, and summer school principal. She was a trailblazer in her own right, becoming the first African-American teacher at The Mount Washington Elementary School in 1964. In September 2011, the Mount Washington Elementary school Class of 1965, reunited to celebrate the career of the person they called a “life changing teacher.” Also the Class of 1966 honored Mrs. Watkins at their 47th year reunion held in 2013. Throughout her career and beyond, her teaching motto was “GOOD, BETTER, BEST. NEVER LET IT REST UNTIL YOUR GOOD IS BETTER AND YOUR BETTER IS BEST.” In an October 1987 article in of the Baltimore Evening Sun, Accent Section, Charlotte was recognized and featured in a piece titled, ‘Teachers Who Made a Difference.’ This accolade bestowed upon her was the result of a city-wide essay contest, held by the newspaper, to acknowledge those teachers whose students wanted to publicly salute them as having been an instrumental part of their development. In addition, Charlotte was a very active and faithful member of Grace Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. Her leadership there included Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Ordained Deacon and Elder, Vice President of United Presbyterian Women, member of the Young Matrons’ Club, Evangeline Committee, Church, and Society Community and Bereavement Community If that wasn’t enough, Charlotte was a member of many social clubs, including Just Us Girls, Scatterbrains, Modern Mothers, Pinochle Block, and the B.P. Women’s Club. Even after retirement, she continued to be active in the community, volunteering for the United Way, Promotion and Tourism of Baltimore, First Call for Help’s Telephone Ministry, the N.A.A.C.P., the Y.M.C.A, Reisterstown Neighborhood Associates, and the League of Women Voters. Charlotte leaves to cherish fond memories two sons, Norman and William Watkins; four grandchildren, Candace Watkins-Tyler, Aaron Watkins, Erica Paige, and Jahmal King; seven great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Mira, Ashton, Jeremiah, Nadiya, Autumn, and Kyra; daughter-in-law, Rosina Watkins and a daughter-in-law for life, Sondra Watkins; two sisters, Margaret Chase and Florence Raines; dear friend, Mary Sprow, and a host of other family and friends. Charlotte was predeceased by her husband, Norman P. Watkins Sr.; son, Charles “Chuckie” Watkins; three brothers and three sisters; and a devoted friend, Lillian T. Lewis.

Tributes

Charlotte M. Watkins

March 6, 1920 - December 27, 2015