Orville R. Watkins

Orville Roland Watkins departed this life very suddenly on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at his home on Queen Anne Bridge Road in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Orville/Daddy suffered with asthma and Chrohn's disease, but he never complained. He would always say "I am alright, I feel good sweetheart." He was the youngest of four children of the late Harry B. Watkins and Cora W. Watkins. He was a lifelong resident of Prince George's County. He was also educated in Prince George's County Public Schools. In 1959, Orville met and married Valeria L. Greer. Out of this union four children were born: Lamont R. Watkins, Chrystal R. Kemp, Michelle Y. Watkins and Angela Y. Whitehead. Orville was a patient and caring dad who took great pride in his children. He loved each one of them very much. Orville and Valeria later divorced, but they remained friends. Orville was a thoughtful and considerate person. Orville was a member of Greater Mount Nebo A.M.E. Church where he faithfully served and donated his time. Most times, Orville would plow the snow at the church during the winter season. He always had a garden and would often share his vegetables with the staff at the church. Orville/Daddy was a very loving, kind, supportive and giving person. He never turned down an opportunity to help someone. Just as he plowed snow for the church, he plowed the snow for his neighborhood free of charge. He did it out of the kindness of his heart. He had a big heart. Orville/Daddy loved everyone. He had a very welcoming spirit. He always welcomed people into his home and made them feel very special. He was always giving you something even if it was just some food to take home with you when you left his home. He always made people feel good or he made them laugh. He loved people no matter who they were or where he was. He would always strike up a conversation even with strangers because to him nobody was a stranger. He was genuinely interested in people and genuinely cared about them. Orville/Daddy took time to call everyone he loved and cared about especially his children and grandchildren. Even those persons who were not his biological children felt like he was there father too. He just had a special way about him that made people like him. No one had anything negative to say about him He always kept a smile on his face and on your face. He was very encouraging. If you were worried and concerned about people and what they said, he would gently tell you not to worry and say, "If they talked about Jesus Christ, they are going to talk about you. Don't worry about it. It will all work out." Orville loved to dance, sing and snap his fingers all the while drawing you in and making you enjoy yourself also. The love of his life was "Sweets", "BJ". They celebrated 43 years of a joyful, blissful and loving relationship. Not only did they have a wonderful relationship with each other, they were strong in the Lord and had a wonderful relationship with their Lord and Savior. They were prayer partners and encouragers for each other. They prayed to begin their day and prayed again together to end their day. They loved doing many things together especially cooking and telling stories. They both would tell wonderful, interesting and intriguing stories to the family. The family enjoyed their cooking and their story telling. The family has been blessed by this union. The love of Orville's life, "BJ", Bessie James has walked with him through thick and thin and was by his side until he passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2011. Orville/Daddy worked for Waste Management of Bowie for over 30 years where he retired on disability. He was a member of the Metro Guns Club for over 50 years and served reliably and faithfully. He is preceded in death by his mother, Cora Watson Watkins, his father, Harry B. Watkins, and his sisters, Blanche Henry and Susie Claiborne. Orville Roland Watkins leaves to mourn: his four children, Lamont R. Watkins, Chrystal R. Kemp, Michelle Y. Watkins and Angela Y. Whitehead; one sister, Maude Jennings Fulton, the love of his life, Bessie James; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives. To God Be the Glory for the Life that he led.