On Friday, May 21, 2021, Anthony Fred Watkins departed this life at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Anthony Fred Watkins was born in Washington, D.C. on October 7, 1964. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred Watkins and Shirley Morina Watkins and two older brothers, Larry and Andre' Morina. Anthony accepted Jesus Christ, joined and was baptized at the Peace Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. in 1979 under the pastorate of Reverend Arie L. Mangrum.

Anthony, the youngest of four children, grew up in a loving home at 1758 E Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. He loved his parents and brothers; however, he adored his sister Sheila whom he affectionately called "Blanc" and she affectionately called him "Poochie." Anthony was well known in the neighborhood and loved by all.

Anthony graduated from Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. and furthered his education at Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana where he studied Criminal Justice. While studying at Grambling, Anthony developed unbreakable bonds with many people, some of those relationships lasting over 35 years.

From a young age, Anthony had an interest in playing football that later developed into his passion for the sport, and he was good at playing it too! His talent and love of football led to a long, fun-filled tenure of him playing on local neighborhood, high school and college teams. He started playing with the Northeast Cowboys; progressing to his high school team, the Anacostia Indians; and ultimately followed by him playing in college with the Grambling Tigers.

After returning to Washington, D.C., he secured employment with Delta Airlines at Ronald Reagan National Airport where he worked for 22 years. He began his career with Delta as an Airline Ramp Agent.  "Tony" as he was called by those who worked at Delta, had a strong work ethic. He was loyal to his job, and rarely took off work. He eventually progressed through the ranks into a Supervisory role as an Operations Service Manager. After retiring from Delta, Anthony obtained part time employment as a Stock and Receiver Clerk with Target in Brandywine, Maryland.

Anthony loved spending time with family and friends. Family was extremely important to him, which attributed to Anthony being a devoted and loving father and grandfather. Although he did not live in the same state as Bria and Kollin, Anthony traveled to Louisiana often to be with them, celebrating holidays, birthdays, and graduations. When he returned home, Anthony was already thinking and planning for the next visit. Here at home, he spent time with Kyra and Jordan. Anthony beamed with pride on Kyra's wedding day. His love for football allowed him the honor of coaching Jordan for many years on the teams he played with, Peppermill Youth Association and Gwen Park High School.  Anthony loved spending time with his children and bragging, in a modest way, about their experiences and accomplishments. An exclusive place occupied by all of his dear children and grandchildren, rested, was locked away and sealed in his heart forever.

Anthony had a magnetic personality and was loved by all. He recognized and appreciated the value of true friendship. He had a special relationship with a select group of very close friends that extended from childhood to adulthood in Washington, D.C. to Grambling, Louisiana. Affectionately known as "Wack" by some of his friends, he considered these two special select groups of gentlemen more as his "honorary brothers" rather than friends.

Anthony enjoyed going back to the old neighborhood on E. street periodically to visit and reminisce with his "honorary brothers" Alan Palmer, Jason (Bull) Bullock, Juan (John) Holder, Dave Arter and Maurice (Moe) Izzard.

He and his Louisiana "honorary brothers (Aces)," Harrison Tribble (Tribb), Brian Jordan, Robert Holden, Kevin Jordan, Robert Riley, and Malik Shabezz, enjoyed the HBCU experience that included classes, Grambling football, tailgating, talent and Greek shows and of course the Washington D.C. house parties. They occasionally went to the shelter and fed the homeless, giving them clothes and shoes. While he was in Grambling, Anthony developed an intramural basketball team. He was known as "Coach Wack." He truly loved the Louisiana cuisine and the creole cajun cooking and culture.

Anthony leaves to cherish his memory and legacy his four children, Kyra Culver, Kollin Anthony Caldwell-Watkins, Bria Monee' Adams, and Jordan Anthony Watkins. Six grandchildren, Cayden, Mya and Kennedy Culver, Kollin Anthony Caldwell-Watkins, Jr., Kyler Caldwell-Watkins, and Brailee Adams. Anthony also leaves to mourn his loss and cherish his memory two loving sisters and one brother in law, Mrs. Freddie Althia Watkins Green, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Mrs. Sheila M. LeBlanc (Leonard); one niece and two nephews, Lenee' Morina, Robert (Bobby) Morina and Reginald Warfield; 6 aunts and two uncles, Verna Watkins and Mary Faye Watkins, Bastrop, Louisiana, Osie Bell Montgomery, Chicago, Illinois, Lula Bell Williams, South Carolina, Martha Yates (Howard), Patricia Morina, Evans Watkins (Ben), Las Vegas, Nevada and Frank Norman, Brooklyn, New York; two sisters-in-law, Constance Morina and Loretta Gladden; a number of great aunts, great uncle; a host of cousins, other relatives, friends and "honorary brothers."

It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you the day God called you home.

Although Anthony no longer abides in this physical world for us to see or touch, our love for him and the love we know he had for us, will remain in our hearts forever.