Bluefield - Cecil Lee Watkins was the Son of Gillie & Marshall Watkins and Husband, of

57 years, to Brenda Gaye Watkins. Survived by his Wife Brenda, and

Children; Timothy Lee Watkins - Husband to Bobbi J. Watkins, Cindy Gaye

Watkins - Wife to Kevin Lee Sumner, Special Daughter, Emily Pauline Burton

- Wife to Mason E.D. Burton and His 4-legged companion Sissy Dog Watkins.

As well as his Grandchildren; Chloe Watkins, Carlee Watkins, Joshua Watkins

- Husband to Stormie Watkins, Noah Ruble, and Christian Boyd; Continuing

are His Great Grandchildren, Levi Farmer, Gracie Farmer, Knox Cecil

Watkins, Aubree Davis, James Matusevich-via.

Cecil has joined in Heaven his Brother's; Bunnie Watkins, Raymond

Watkins, Henry Watkins, Brudge Watkins, Ferd Watkins, Isiah Watkins, and

Nathaniel Watkins as well as his Sister's; Pauline Seren, Ester Farmer, and

Bertha Belcher.

Cecil Lee Watkins joined the U.S Navy and served on the U.S.S Yorktown

(CV-10) from 1963 to 1967. He spent some time as a Coal miner in the

Pocohontas Coal Mines before moving on to work with U.S. Steel as a

Continuous Miner Operator. He went on to give 24 years of service to the

company and the U.M.W.A before retiring. Shortly thereafter, he was called

by The Lord to begin his work as a Pastor, spreading the word of God to

Lackie Pentecostal Church and Billy Sundays Church for over a decade.

Cecil was more than only a Coal Miner, Pastor, and Retired Service

Member. He was an avid Hunter, Expert Angler, and nothing shy of a Master

Gun smith. Cecil spent countless hours on the waters and banks of the New

River, among other bodies of water, with his Family and Friends catching

what can only be referred to as " A pile of Fish" through the years. He

masterfully hunted the woods of McDowell to Mercer County and beyond

spending hours upon hours being one with Gods country and bringing home to

his family many of bounty. Through the years Cecil spent a number of hours

honing his craft and rising to a level nothing short of a self-made Master

Gunsmith. From firearm modifications and repairs, to loading his own rounds

of ammunition, Cecil's passion for firearms was prominent throughout his

life. Among his joys, Cecil was no stranger to the road. He enjoyed long

rides with his wife through the hills of Virginia and West Virginia

sightseeing and storytelling through Hinton Wv, and shopping for his

favorite essentials at the Amish shop off Rt. 100. Included in the many

things mentioned here, Cecil was a loving Husband, Father Grand Father,

Great Grand Father, Brother to many. All around a gift from God to those of

whose lives he touched over the past 84 years!

Funeral services for Mr. Watkins will be on Friday March 20th, 2026 at 1PM

at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with ministers Jim Sanson and

Ronnie Reeves presiding, Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard will conduct

full military graveside rites. Friends may call Friday from 11AM to 1PM,

burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park with Dustin Foster, Mason

Burton, Levi Farmer, Jody Dalton, and Emily Burton serving as Pallbearers.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Watkins family.

Rest in Peace,

Cecil Lee Watkins -- Your work on earth is Done!