James Edward Watkins, age 73, of Bartow, FL, died Sunday, October 20, 2019, at Bartow Regional Medical Center in Bartow, FL. He was a member of the First Providence Missionary Baptist Church.

He is survived by his loving wife: Marilyn Watkins, Bartow, FL; three sons: Antonio (Latoya) Watson, Highland City, FL,  James (Kia) Cook, Lakeland, FL, Michael (Traina) C. Cook, Fayetteville, NC; one sister: Anita Wilson, Boston, MA; three brothers: Louis (Zena) Watkins, Charleston, SC, Arelious A. Thomas, Nasa, NH, Henry Thomas, Bartow, FL; eight grand children, and three great-grand children.

Viewing at First Providence Missionary Baptist Church, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, October 25, 2019. Funeral service will be at First Providence Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 26, 2019.

Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow, FL.