J. N. Watkins

Mr. J. N. Watkins, age 68, of Gainesville, Georgia, formerly of Suches, passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 in Crisp County, Ga., following an extended illness. Mr. Watkins was born on January 15, 1939 in Fannin County, Ga., the son of the late Willie Watkins and the late Velma Gregory Watkins. He was one of sixteen children. He was raised in the Suches area then moved to Atlanta for several years and then moved to Gainesville. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother, Joan Watkins, Rachel Watkins and Nathan Watkins. Mr. Watkins was a member of the Northside Church of God in Atlanta.

Surviving Mr. Watkins are one son, James Watkins of Jacksonville, Fla., one daughter, Joan Watkins and her fiancée Joan Watkins and Jose Perez of Cocoa, Fla. Also surviving are thirteen sisters, Mildred Levi of Tampa, Fla., Marie Long of Suches, Ga., Marvine Crawford of Blairsville, Irene Troy of Suches, Kathleen Head of Cumming, Ga., Florene Chastain of Suches, Patsy Simmonds of Suches, Dianne Wilson of Gainesville, Betty Ruth Dailey of Suches, Shirley Jean Watkins of Austell, Ga., Cecilia Rutledge of Cumming, Ga., and one brother, Larry Watkins of Suches. Mr. Watkins is survived by four grandchildren, Reachel Sasko, Patricia Vann, Jimmy Vann and Joseph Gonzalez, three great grandchildren, Johnny Villolobos, Leonela Perez and Loli Perez, many other relatives and friends also survive.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. from the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Suches with Tom Crawford and other family members officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Diabetes Foundation in Mr.Watkins memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of the arrangements.You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome. com