Florence Mourns Loss of Builder

HBA of the Pee Dee builder member Bobby Ray Watkins Jr., 43, of Florence, died Saturday, December 15, 2007, in a motercross accident. Watkins was born in Hartsville, SC, a son of Bobby Ray and Sherry Parker Watkins. He graduated from Francis Marion University with a BS in Biology and attended Baptist Bible College Graduate School of Theology in Springfield, Missouri, and the Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He was a member of the Church at Sandhurst. He was owner and president of Bobby Watkins Builders, Inc., a member of the Florence Home Builders Association and a member of the Oxtown Motocross Club.

“Bobby has served on our Board of Directors for several years as a Local Builder Director,” said Cheryl Floyd, HBA of the Pee Dee Executive Director. “He was a very valued and involved member of our association and will be missed immensely.”

Surviving are his wife, Lisa Zeigler Watkins of the home; sons, Daniel Watkins, Robert Watkins and Terrence Watkins, all of Florence; mother and father of Hartsville; sisters, Paula Watkins of Columbia and Nicole (Arnold) Floyd of Hartsville; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Hollie Watkins of Hartsville; mother and father-in-law; Jerry and Mary Ruth Ziegler and a number of other family members and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, December 17, 2007, at the Church at Sandhurst with burial in Florence Memorial Gardens. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and holiday season.