A native of Hardeman County, he was son of the late Barney Wilford and Nicey Maude Shearon Watkins. After growing up in Hardeman county, he moved to Memphis where he lived most of his adult life. Mr. Watkins had been a retail merchant in Lagrange, TN and also rebuilt auto parts. On March 21, 1984, he married the former Deborah Kay "Debbie" Thurmond, who survives.
He also leaves two step-daughters, Wendy Farmer of Senatobia, MS and Veronica Malone of Memphis; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by a son, John, Jr.; his parents; 3 sisters, Audrey Griffith, Barbara Hill and Thelma Watkins; and 6 brothers, Jack, Malcolm, Barney, Wesley, Dennis and Kenny Watkins.