Mark L. Watkins

Mark L. Watkins, 91, of Asheville, died on April 18, 2018, at Flesher's Health and Rehabilitation Center. An Asheville native, Mr. Watkins was the son of the late Charles E. and Nell Laster Watkins. Mr. Watkins was a veteran of WWII where he served in the Navy. Major Mark L. Watkins was Commander of the Asheville Squadron, Civil Air Patrol-Untied States Air Force Auxiliary, in the Air Search and Rescue as a rated observer and radio operator. Mark was a member of Asheville Wesleyan Church. Mark was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma McCoy Watkins, his parents, brothers, Charles, Paul, James, Donald and Bobby, and sisters, Vivian Green, Nancy Penland and Joan Watkins. He is survived by his sister, Betty Watkins Daniels; sister-in-law, Rebecca Lewis Watkins; cousin, Pauline McGraw Jones; several nieces and nephews who will greatly miss him; and a dear neighbor and friend, Cathy Moore. A funeral service for Mr. Watkins will be on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Asheville Wesleyan Church, 32 Richmond Ave., NC 28806.