Dorothy Elizabeth Watkins

Mrs. Dorothy E. Watkins transitioned to eternal life with God on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at 8:45 A.M., Spotsylvania Regional Hospital, Fredericksburg, Virginia. She was born March 9, 1948 in Halifax, Virginia to the late Stephen and Willie Mae Barksdale. She accepted Christ at an early age at Crystal Hill Baptist Church, Crystal Hill, Virginia.
She relocated to the Washington Metropolitan Area in 1969 where she met the love of her life Daniel E. Watkins and was united in holy Matrimony on August 12, 1977. This union was blessed with three beautiful children; Daniel, Telly, and Nicholas Watkins.
During her stay in the Washington Metropolitan area she joined New Chapel Baptist Church in Camp Springs, Maryland. After relocating to the Fredericksburg area, she joined the New Destiny Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir. She was a faithful member who was always willing to serve in whatever capacity she was needed. Dorothy loved the Lord.
Dorothy started her work career as a Personnel and Printing Specialist with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1971. Upon leaving the EPA, she began her entrepreneurship by starting Dot’s Discount Towing Company, which she managed and operated for several years. She later received her real estate license with Caldwell Banker in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She also worked as an agent with Prepaid Legal. Her last employment was with the Metropolitan Police Department as a Property Control Clerk.
Dorothy loved to decorate, make floral arrangements, and work in her yard. She liked crafts, hosting cookouts, and crab feasts. She also liked antique cars. To her family and friends, she radiated love, patience, fun, and kindness. She worked hard. Our treasured memories of her good life will remain with us and forever live in our hearts.
She leaves to cherish her memories a loving husband: Daniel E. Watkins, three sons Daniel Jr (Danyelle), Telly, and Nicholas Watkins and step-daughter Sherrita Clark (Donald) and one god-daughter Sharisse Barksdale. Eleven grandchildren: Kayla and Keara Watkins, Cameron Washington, Elle and Kalyn Watkins, Jayden Franklin, Kaida Watkins, Quentin Morton, Donek Morton, and Jazmin Lancaster. Four sisters: Margie Logan, Lois Hodge, Elsie Smith (Ernest), Lillian Bowman (Frank). Two brothers: Stephen Barksdale, George Barksdale (Ernestine), and one sister-in-law Rachael Barksdale. One brother in-law: Joseph Watkins Jr. (Brenda). A host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brothers James and William Barksdale, brother-in-law Jesse A. Hodge, mother and father in-law Joseph and Ruth Watkins, brother-in-law Elbert Watkins, and sister-in-law Cheryl Tarbal.