Ben Frank Watkins Jr

Ben Frank Watkins, Jr., 82, retired Environmental Engineer, died Monday, May 22, 2017, at NHC Maury Regional. A graveside service will be conducted Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at Rose Hill Cemetery with Rev. Hubert Cunningham officiating. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements and condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born September 5, 1934, in Maury County, he was the son of the late Ben Frank Watkins, Sr. and the late Josephine Foster Watkins. He was the grandson of the late Ulna Hunter Foster and the late Nellie Williams Foster, founders of Columbia landmark, Anderson Brothers & Foster. Mr. Watkins was a 1952 graduate of Columbia Central High School, earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Tennessee, and a Master's degree in Environmental Science from Vanderbilt University. He was a longtime resident of Jacksonville, Florida, where he retired as Environmental Engineer for the State of Florida. He was an avid UT football fan and had served as secretary of the UT Alumni Association in Florida for many years. He and his lifelong friend, Lela Chelton, enjoyed traveling worldwide and thoroughly enjoyed the beaches of Florida. Mr. Watkins was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his cousin and longtime caregiver, Betty Ruth Little Vann of Columbia; numerous other cousins including Alice Marshall and Beverly Fitzgerald, both of Columbia; Hardy Park of Iowa City, Iowa, Ronnie (Renée) Vann of Columbia; and special friend, Lela Chelton of Jacksonville, Florida. He was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Foster Watkins, on January 20, 1990. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.