Thomas Watkins Obituary, Death – Mark Watkins was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Mark’s siblings numbered five. Southside moved to Vestavia. WH Berry High School’s 1966 valedictorian played football and baseball. Jacksonville State University awarded him a business degree. They moved to Corpus Christi to sell. He then worked for Clow in Jacksonville, Florida. He established lifelong friends there. Clow sent Mark to Alabama. He went out with Johnny in Mobile. Afterward, he met Gretchen. Sparks erupted. The chemistry was obvious. Sparks survived.
Mark and Gretchen promptly had a baby. They moved to Birmingham to be near family and start a business. Josh (Sophie), Rachel (Benjee), Sarah, and Wes are Mark and Gretchen’s children. Lydia (2) and Astrid (2). Almost missed them. God, family, and friends were priorities. His family “blessed” him. Mark coached his kids for 20 years. His favorites were Daddy, Pop, Sweetie, and Friend. Mark inherited his family’s drycleaning business and began his own. The year Josh was born, Mark’s Quality Cleaners opened.
The Cleaners gave Mark more time with his kids. Josh and Sarah are Mark’s executives. He was a cleaners life coach. Probably. He was well-liked. Mark was one of the first drycleaners to barcode and digitize. Mark joined DLI and SEFA to keep ahead. Mark supported Alabama. Family and friends watched sports in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Rachel might attend Auburn as an Alabama fan. He joined the Monday Morning Quarterback Club and the Red Elephant Club. Mark was happy.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles with his boys, wife, and friends. Gretchen was his favorite travel companion. Wes’s father loved music. Concert-going and Stephen Stills stalking improved their connection. Mark loved the Lord and was close to Pastor Buddy Gray at Hunter Street Baptist Church. He died fast and wasn’t punctual. He was well-liked. Agrees Gretchen. Mark’s parents and father-in-law are dead. Steve, Jane, Johnny, and Danny Watkins; mother-in-law Roula Wolff; brother-in-law Paul Jr.; sister-in-law Kathy Tynes (Danny) and their children; brother-in-law Eric Wolff (Rich) and their children. Mark’s life celebration is on December 10 at 11:00 am at Hunter Street Baptist Church. From 9:30 to 11:00 am, the family will greet guests. A reception followed.