Reverend John Watkins Sr.

Reverend Dr. John Watkins, Sr. was the fourth child born to Chris and Alice Watkins, February 4, 1930.

His mother placed him in the company of the people of God, at the 28th Street Church of God, Bessemer, Alabama, at an early age and he would spend many hours with them. It was here that he developed a love for preaching. He was so gifted in speaking and possessed such a dynamic love for God that the people of God began allowing him to preach at the age of 5. He would sit attentively while in church and would have meetings with the Pastor when he thought things were not right within the church. He would go to church on Sundays and would preach on Monday.

He was educated in the Bessemer School System and attended Dunbar High School. While there, he played high school football and baseball. He had such a love for sports and was considered one of the best in the neighborhood. He would often show off his expertise by saying, "go ahead and throw it any way you want, I'll catch it." And he loved to show children how many ways he could catch a baseball and a football. He could catch the ball, throw with precision, and tackle anyone coming his way. He loved westerns as well and would often laugh and talk about "Wild Bill Hitchcock." While at Dunbar he met his high school sweetheart Arzella Geraldine Lewis in the 11th Grade. They were married the following year in June 1949, which would have been 76 years ago to date. He was hired by the Pullman Boxcar company, Bessemer, Alabama where he remained until he retired. They njoyed a wonderful marriage and to this union five children were born.

It didn't take long for him to recognize he had a calling from God on his life. So much so that he interrupted a Tuesday night business meeting at the church and demanded the saints come outside and, "get him saved." They came out praising God and prayed with him, and his bride. It was the following Sunday he began working in the church in a leadership position because his Pastor, Elder Ophelia Griffin, knew he had been appointed by God to work for Him. He was later officially ordained into the ministry and was mentored by Elder Griffin. He was taught the Word of God by the saints of God and this teaching laid the foundation for his beliefs from which he never wavered. They showed him a lifestyle of holiness through which the power of God flowed and was evident through miracles, the power to save, and the power to heal all manner of diseases. He held firm to the beliefs instilled in him as a child to his death. It was also here that he began singing in a quartet.

He was called to Pastor his first church, Maple Grove Church of God, Birmingham, Alabama, in April 1957, at the age of 27. Here he directed other quartet groups that were so good they traveled to other places and churches to sing. Also, while pastoring at this church, he was elected to the office of State Chairman, Bishop, of the Alabama Churches of God. His duties included presiding over the Alabama Ministerial Assembly, the Credentials Committee (training and ordaining new ministers), the Alabama State Campground where meetings were held in April, June, July, and November. He remained here until 1964, at which time he felt the leading of the Lord to move to the 54th Street Church of God in Fairfield, Alabama. He remained at this church until 1990, at which time he returned to his home church, the 28th Street Church of God in Bessemer.

He continued his love for singing and was a soloist and lead singer in groups and choirs. He had a wonderful tenor voice and sang beautifully. He loved the Soul Stirrers and often sang many of their songs. He allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him, which was evident by the participation from the audiences. The people of God were praising God, raising holy hands, lives were changed, people were blessed during his singing.

Throughout his tenure as a Pastor, he also conducted revivals all over the State of Alabama and other states as well. People lives were changed, refreshed, rejuvenated to do and even greater work for God during his revivals. Many are still serving God to this date. All throughout his ministry, his wife was right by his side, encouraging him, praying for him, and supporting him.

He participated in every facet of church service doing what he could for God. He helped build buildings on the campground, repaired plumbing, fixed roofs, poured concrete for foundations, cut grass, painted rooms, no job was beneath him, and he would preach, change from his suit to his work clothes and provide the hand-on work that was needed. He was elected and re-elected to the job of State Chairman, Bishop for 46 years, the longest tenure ever held in the history of the association.

He was a humble man, a dynamic speaker, a motivational mentor for ministers, an evangelist, a keynote speaker, a trainer and presenter at meetings. An avid reader, it is said he possessed hundreds of bibles, manuals, and books, he was a national speaker, he had an awesome rapport with other ministers across racial lines. He had an approachable demeanor, children loved to be around him, his clothes were never too precious that he could not pick up and play with children, he was never proud or boastful and never discussed his educational accomplishments. He felt he went to theological seminaries to better equip himself for service to God to rightly handle the Word of God and not for power, prestige, to be looked up to or to boast about. He was concerned about the people God assigned to him and took that responsibility with humility. He believed in the power of God to save, heal, and deliver anyone who believed and trusted in Him.

He leaves to cherish his legacy and memory: his wife of over 75 years, Arzella Geraldine; son, John, Jr. (Teresa) Watkins; daughters, Carolyn Simmons, Sandra Abner, Marilyn Brown and Monica (Terrell); grandchildren, Jameka Thomas, Eugene Abner, Jr., Claresa Howard, Johnathan Brown and LaShaundria Brown; six great grandchildren; sisters, Priscilla Hooks of Chicago, IL, and Gloria Taylor; brother, Boston Watkins and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and spiritual daughters and sons from all over the United States.