Bobby Allen Watkins was born October 30, 1972, in Hayti, Missouri. He passed away on July 7, 2023, at his residence in Hayti.  He was 50 years, 8 months, and 8 days of age.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Verna Black, brother Wiley Watkins, and three grandchildren Chloe, Clark, and Emily Watkins.

Bobby was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  Over the years, he wore several hats, one of which belonged to Uncle Sam. He served eight years in the Missouri Army National Guard where he learned many lessons; the most important for him was from Drill Staff Sergeant Simpson who said: "Self-discipline is what you do when no one else is watching you." It's something that he always referred to and quoted many times. His National Guard unit was activated during the flood of '93, and he spent most of that summer in the Ste. Genevieve area helping to build up the levees to prevent people from losing their town, and filling and pitching sandbags to protect people's homes and businesses.                     In 1995 his unit was sent to Panama to help build a large single room school for the children and installed a drainage system. Bobby was involved in the community for several years serving as President of the Hayti Chamber of Commerce for 17 years, Alderman, and Mayor for 13 years.  He was also the commissioner and coached little league baseball, basketball, and helped coach pee wee football for over 15 years. Because of a shortage of coaches and from other coaches quitting during the season, he would often coach two-three teams at a time. He was a member of the Hayti Rotary for 16 years and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Caruthersville for 16 years and where he was a Master Mason.

He leaves the following to cherish his memory:

His wife Lisa Watkins, four children Autumn (Michael) Watkins, Austin (Julia) Watkins, Alexander Watkins, and Allyson Watkins all of Hayti.  Five grandchildren Andrew, Aurora, Carter, Sadie, and Oliver.  Three sisters Sarah Cecil of Caruthersville, MO., Hazel Whitson of Hayti, and Terry Harrison of Memphis, TN. And One brother Mikell Smith of Poplar Bluff, MO.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in the John W. German Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Mark Hoover officiating.  Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Hayti, with military honors.  Pallbearers were Alex and Austin Watkins, Brayden Haynes, Adam Cecil, Ryan Gill, and Jeremy Harrison.

John W. German Funeral Home of Hayti in charge of services.