Fallen Hero: 1SG(Ret) Paul D. Watkins

Forest

Funeral Home

Wolf Funeral Home

Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. 

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on September 13, 2021, and moved on to his heavenly home. 1SG(Ret) Paul D. Watkins, age 77, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard who had served within Btry B, 4^th Battalion 114^th Field Artillery, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life.  We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed:  “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service.  We thank you for your service.  Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done.  Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Obituary

Paul D. Watkins, 77, of Forest, MS, passed away on September 10, 2021, at his residence. He was the son of Charles Harvey Watkins and Estelle Wolfe. Visitation will be on September 13, 2021, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Salem Baptist Church. Services will follow at 2:00 PM, with Bro. Tommy Anderson, Bro. Larry Duncan, Bro. Kenny Lang and Bro. Josh Lang officiating. Burial will be at Salem Baptist Cemetery, Lake, MS under the direction of Wolf Funeral Services.
Paul was a Baptist by faith and a member of Salem Baptist Church. He was a 1961 graduate of Lake High School and went to ECCC studying Design Engineering. He joined the National Guard in 1962 where he retired as 1st Sergeant with the 114th Bravo BTRY in 1985. After retirement he was a self-employed farmer until his death. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Harvey Watkins and Estelle Wolfe Watkins; two brothers Charles D. “Sonny” Watkins and Ira W. Watkins; one sister, Betty Sue Daniels. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Kay Stewart Watkins; one son, Harvey Lee Watkins of Forest; one daughter, Erin Lang (Garrett) of Forest, MS; one step-son Justin Stroud of Forest, MS; three sisters Nell W. Crout of Forest, MS, Nina W. Cooper of Kemp, TX, Janice Watkins of Forest, MS; 2 nieces, Cindy W. Gookin and Dianne Cooper Bodiford; six nephews, Charles Cooper, Chuck Watkins, Chris Watkins, Corey Watkins, Scott Watkins, Jamie Crout; one grandchild, Taylor Lang; several great nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Pallbearers will be Charles Cooper, Chuck Watkins, Chris Watkins, Zane Watkins, Scott Watkins, Jamie Crout, Garrett Lang and Vince Edwards.
We ask that you wear a mask and practice social distancing.
We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our memory wall at www.wolffuneral services.com.