Leon C. Watkins was born in Kansas City, Mo on September 11, 1962, to Leon Watkins and Amanda Blankenship. He was preceded in death by both parents, his paternal grandmother a sister Mary and a brother Emmett. Leon was educated in the Kansas City Missouri School District where he graduated from Paseo High School.

After several attempts at witnessing to him by his brother Cliff, Leon finally united with the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ.  He served there faithfully until his untimely death. Everyone who met Leon enjoyed being around him. He brought his love and work experience of culinary arts with him and not long after he began supervising the Sunday Morning Breakfast. Leon completed his apprenticeship at the Americana Hotel under the leadership of the Head Chef. He worked at several local hotels in the area before going on disability after back surgery.  Leon served in many capacities while at the church. He helped cook and serve during the Baptist Ministers Union’s monthly meetings. He also enjoyed helping out on Wednesdays with the food distribution to those in need. Leon also supervised the Community Service Workers Program for several years along with Rae Jones.

Leon departed this life on February 8, 2021, at his home in Kansas City, Mo at the age of 58. He leaves to cherish his memory of a son, Leon Levell Robinson a daughter, Nettie Perez. Two grandchildren, Nadiya N. Atkins, and Nelson Perez. His siblings, Clifford, Linda, Pattie and Margaret Watkins, Carol, Mavis, Judy, Martha Lynn, Donnie, and Sherry.  On game days Leon would be found hanging out with his friend of many years Joe Calhoun Sr. If Leon just needed to talk about things that were on his mind, he never failed to lean on the Miles family, Derek Pitchford, Antoine Conway, Lucille Wilson, Sammie Howell, Rodney Gross and last but not least Melva White who he affectionately called “Big Momma”.

Rest in eternal peace!

“Sunlight has come and he is out of the rain, this is the start of his better days”.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Parklawn Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, please respect social distancing, face covering guidelines. Temperature checks will be enforced for all guests. Services provided by Lawrence A Jones & Sons Funeral Chapels.