Rev.  Gladys T Watkins Dover, Delaware Obituary

Rev. Gladys T Watkins

"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make you the Ruler over many things." Matthew 25:21 Gladys Thompson Watkins was born April 13, 1937 in Hyacinth, Virginia and departed this earth to be with her heavenly father on January 19, 2021. She was the second oldest child to the late James Garfield Thompson and late Mollie Brooks Thompson. She attended grade school and high school in Virginia. Upon graduation she briefly attended St. Philips School of Nursing. While there she met Hardin T. Watkins, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force and they were married in 1959. They lived in Germany and Hawaii for the next seven years. During that time she volunteered for the American Red Cross in Germany and in the Air Force Family Services in Hawaii. She was awarded Security Services Volunteer of the Year. Upon their return to the U.S. mainland, she became employed by AT&T Corporation and retired after 12 years with the Bell System as a Marketing manager. Reverend Watkins and her family settled in Dover, Delaware in 1969. They became members of the Union Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, was a Choir Member, Church Mother, Minister of Missions and Visitations and Associate Minister. She was licensed in 1994 by the church and ordained by the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Academically, she earned B.S., M.Ed, and M.A.R. degrees from Delaware State University, the University of Delaware, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During her years of Ministry, her passion was walking with God, pleasing him, and being fruitful in every good work. Reverend Watkins was a Charter member of the Hattie S. Blackwell #15 Order of Eastern Star and a proud member and 20th Past-President of Dover Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was the first African American President of the 115 year old Century Club, Inc. She also served as a Board Member and Director of Arc of Delaware. On May 5, 1979 she was awarded the Shofar Community Service Award by the Delaware Multicultural and Civic Organization (DEMCO, Inc). She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Lola Bryant; and brother, Michael Thompson. She leaves to mourn two children, Ivy Watkins, Kim Thompson (Carolyn); three sisters, Ernestyne Forbes, Bertha Harris, Celestine Broady; five brothers, James J. Thompson (Jeanie), Harold Thompson, Charles Thompson, Dolton Thompson, Muriel Thompson (Ragna); one uncle, Moses Brooks; one aunt, Randell Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.
April 13, 1937 - January 19, 202104/13/193701/19/2021
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"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make you the Ruler over many things." Matthew 25:21 Gladys Thompson Watkins was born April 13, 1937 in Hyacinth, Virginia and departed this earth to be with her heavenly father on January 19, 2021. She was the second oldest child to the late James Garfield Thompson and late Mollie Brooks Thompson. She attended grade school and high school in Virginia. Upon graduation she briefly attended St. Philips School of Nursing. While there she met Hardin T. Watkins, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force and they were married in 1959. They lived in Germany and Hawaii for the next seven years. During that time she volunteered for the American Red Cross in Germany and in the Air Force Family Services in Hawaii. She was awarded Security Services Volunteer of the Year. Upon their return to the U.S. mainland, she became employed by AT&T Corporation and retired after 12 years with the Bell System as a Marketing manager. Reverend Watkins and her family settled in Dover, Delaware in 1969. They became members of the Union Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, was a Choir Member, Church Mother, Minister of Missions and Visitations and Associate Minister. She was licensed in 1994 by the church and ordained by the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Academically, she earned B.S., M.Ed, and M.A.R. degrees from Delaware State University, the University of Delaware, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During her years of Ministry, her passion was walking with God, pleasing him, and being fruitful in every good work. Reverend Watkins was a Charter member of the Hattie S. Blackwell #15 Order of Eastern Star and a proud member and 20th Past-President of Dover Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was the first African American President of the 115 year old Century Club, Inc. She also served as a Board Member and Director of Arc of Delaware. On May 5, 1979 she was awarded the Shofar Community Service Award by the Delaware Multicultural and Civic Organization (DEMCO, Inc). She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Lola Bryant; and brother, Michael Thompson. She leaves to mourn two children, Ivy Watkins, Kim Thompson (Carolyn); three sisters, Ernestyne Forbes, Bertha Harris, Celestine Broady; five brothers, James J. Thompson (Jeanie), Harold Thompson, Charles Thompson, Dolton Thompson, Muriel Thompson (Ragna); one uncle, Moses Brooks; one aunt, Randell Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

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Events

Jan
27
Visitation
Wednesday, January 27 2021
10:00 AM
Evan W. Smith Funeral Services - Dover
518 S Bay Rd
Dover, DE 19901
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Jan
27
Funeral Ceremony
Wednesday, January 27 2021
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Evan W. Smith Funeral Services - Dover
518 S Bay Rd
Dover, DE 19901
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Attendance is by family invite only. The wearing of masks and practice of social distancing will be enforced.
Feb
10
Interment
Wednesday, February 10 2021
11:00 AM
Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery
2465 Chesapeake City Road
Bear, DE 19701
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