DATE: Thursday, June 12, 1997               TAG: 9706120410

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B11  EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: POQUOSON                          LENGTH:   27 lines

THOMAS V. WATKINS

Thomas Vincent Watkins, 85, died June 10, 1997.

A lifelong resident of Poquoson, Vincent was an accomplished pianist and organist who also taught others throughout his lifetime. He was decorated as the city of Poquoson's official historian. He was the founding member of the Poquoson Historical Society and was also a charter member of the Peninsula Music Teachers Association.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Emma Freeman Watkins; son and daughter-in-law, Russell V. and Jan Shores Watkins of Elk Grove, Ill.; daughter and son-in-law, Carroll Ann and E. Wayne Martin of Poquoson; grandsons, Aaron W. Martin, Thomas E. Martin, Neil G. Watkins and Kenan L. Watkins; great-grandson, Jacob A. Martin; brother, the Rev. Beverly Watkins of Portsmouth.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Tabernacle United Methodist Church by the Rev. Dick Helveston. Burial will be in Smith Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Memorials may be made to the Tabernacle United Methodist Church, the Poquoson Rescue Squad or the Smith Memorial Cemetery Association. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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