Dr. Paul E. Watkins’ Obituary
On Monday October 31st, Dr. Paul Eric Watkins passed away at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York after a protracted illness. At age 65, with his brother and sister there to lovingly kiss him goodbye, Paul set off for his final and most desirable destination…leaving from his beloved New York City to arrive and live eternally with Our Father, God, in Heaven
Dr. Paul Watkins was the youngest of three children born to Dr. Flotilla Watkins and Dr. Nellouise Watkins. Born in Roanoke Virginia on September 15, 1957, he grew up in Durham then Greensboro, NC. Paul graduated from high school from Oak Ridge Military Academy in 1975 as an honor student and basketball player. Following in the family footsteps he successfully pursued a healthcare career, graduating from Fisk University, Nashville in 1979 with honors in Biology. The Fisk experience was a roaring success as he was involved in multiple organizations in leadership positions including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society. The next educational step included graduate studies at UNC-Chapel Hill, then Morehouse College followed by graduation from the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Given the opportunity to pursue specialty training, he matriculated at NYU and became an Orthodontist. He was married to Dr. E. Cheryl Ponder.
His first practice experience was in Greensboro, NC.. Dr. Watkins became President of the Greensboro Medical Society, as his Father had, and director of several local charity events supporting education.
As time passed, Dr. Watkins expanded the Orthodontics practice to Winston Salem then to Greenville, NC.. Meantime he occasionally practiced in New York City , requiring a 20-hour commute by car one weekend a month. The New York connection eventually became an overwhelming draw. He was offered a position with a large group Dental practice and relocated there.
His commitment to personal fitness drove Paul to >200 marathons all over the world and a NY Iron Man competition. His final competition was in 2017 at 60 years old.
In addition to this extensive dental practice, he traveled across the world as a missionary, visiting Haiti, Ethiopia, and Jamaica. There he provided dental care for many disadvantaged patients. Dr. Watkins honored this annual commitment for 30 years. At these remote sites, he established community relationships with residents who thanked him even as they became adults.
At the time of his illness, Dr. Watkins was living and working in NYC in both group and private dental practice.
Charismatic, energetic, and fun, Paul was a favorite of both the young and less young, including women and men. A tenacious faith was the basis of his Catholic commitment. His loss is palpable among his many friends, families, and by me, his only brother.
Paul was preceded in death by his two loving parents: Drs. Flotilla and Nellouise D. Watkins. He is survived by his brother and wife, Dr. Flotillo and Helen Watkins of Greensboro, NC; sister and husband: Dr. Sharon Cooper and Donald Brooks of Fayetteville, NC; nieces families: Tresca Nellouise and Jay Pennington and Sunni Brooke Madison; nephews: Quentin Christopher Brown and Flotilla Bruce Watkins III; great-nieces: Roxanna Watkins, Jayda Pennington, and Gianna Madison; great-nephews: Treston Pennington, Vincent Madison, Terrence Lewandowski, and Bryson Watkins; a host of dear cousins and close friends.
Funeral Services for Dr. Paul E. Watkins are scheduled for 9:30am, Saturday, November 12th at St. James Presbyterian Church. 820 Ross Ave., Greensboro, NC.
Visitation will begin at 9am at the church .
Internment is scheduled for 11:00am at Lakeview Memorial Park, 3600 N O'Henry Blvd, Greensboro, NC.
For additional help:
call 336-324-2230 for voice or text, for email drwatkins2003@yahoo.com. Please allow additional time for email responses.