Henry Franklin "Frank" Watkins, Sr.

Henry Franklin (Frank) Watkins, Sr., age 78, of Hartsville SC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 29, 2025 while in comfort care at McLeod Hospice House.

Born on October 20, 1946, in Chesterfield County, Frank was the son of the late Thomas Clifton Watkins and the late Verlie E Curtis Watkins Jones. He was a very intelligent man, self-taught in Chemistry and Mathematics without any secondary education. In 1966, Frank started a rewarding and passion filled career at CP&L Robinson Nuclear Plant, n/k/a Duke Energy Power. He was proud and considered himself blessed in the role of Radiochemist Foreman for many years up until his retirement in 2011. Many may not know but Frank had a very generous heart, what one would say as having a “HEART of GOLD” by helping those in need rather it be monetarily or with donating his possessions to enhance missionary work and allowing whosoever to gather water from the artisan well on his property.

Mr. Watkins is survived by daughter Penny Hawkins (Doug Smith), Frankie Watkins (Hope Barfield), and Jason Watkins. Along with his children, he was blessed with his grandchildren who he wanted the best for each of them. The grandchildren are as follows: Tabitha Hawkins Maloney (Jon), Samantha Hawkins (Larry Tyner), Katrina Hawkins (Lance Player), Jurni Hawkins (Jay Bartz), Jason Watkins Jr. and Brittanie McLellan. In addition to his grandchildren he was honored to be Grandpa Frank to his great-grands who are as follows: Joseph, Timothy, Michael, Noah, Steven, David, Elijah, Giselle, Auria, Jocelynn, Kegan, Sebastian, Lukas and Braycen. Mr. Watkins was preceded in death, by his parents, brother Thomas Jr. and many aunts and uncles.

The funeral service will be held at the Norton Funeral Home Chapel on July 3, 2025 at 11am. Visitation will also be at Norton Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 5pm-7pm.  Burial will be in the New Market United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family has chosen to use Loris Florist for flowers, contact 843-756-1314. If you wish to honor Frank in an alternative way, he loved animals and had many pets over the years including but not limited to a skunk, raccoon, south american coati and ferrets. You can make a donation to the Darlington Humane Society, 580 East Washington St, Hartsville, SC 29550.

The family would like to sincerely thank everyone who took part in the care of our Dad over the last several months which include Carolina Pines Staff, McLeod Hospital Staff, Morrell Nursing Rehab, Comfort Keepers, MUSC Florence Staff, The Palms and most recent McLeod Hospice House.  The family also wants to give a meaningful "Thank you" to Hope Barfield for all that she has taken care of during our Dad's illness and passing.  We could not have done it without her.

If Frank was here today with us, he would share with you his favorite scripture, John 3:16. So we leave you with these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son that none should perish but have everlasting life”.