S. M. Watkins

Solomon Mobley Watkins "S. M.," age 85 of Riddleville, passed away peacefully July 13, 2026, at Heritage Inn in Sandersville. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend M.D. Cabe, Reverend Andy Carter and Reverend Mike Jones officiating. Burial will follow at New Bethel Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark Cabe, Todd Cabe, Glenn Hawkins, Jon Alston Lewis, Carl Brooks, Sam Dell, and Tony Lewis. The family will receive friends and visitors an hour before the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Watkins was born on December 22,1940 in Bartow to the late Solomon Watkins, Sr. and the late Sally Belle Rushin Watkins. He graduated from Sandersville High School in 1960. His life work included jobs at Lewis' Lake, Carr and Boatright and a long career in the kaolin industry from which he retired. Mr. Watkins loved farming, livestock, gardening, including hay production and shared his harvest with family, friends and neighbors, as well as his family BBQ sauce. He also spent many years involved in the dove business. His love for the mountains was evidenced by the cherished "Mountain House" in Helen, GA. Mr. Watkins was a good father, Christian man and member of New Bethel Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of almost 40 years, Nadine Cochran Watkins; sister, Frances Frost; and three brothers, Ray Watkins, Donald Watkins and Jack Watkins.

Mr. Watkins is survived by his daughter, Melissa Watkins Chrismer (Robbie) of St. James City, FL; sons, Dwayne Watkins of Milledgeville, and Russell Meeks (Deborah) and Neil Meeks (Becky); sister, Fannie Belle Hawkins of Sandersville; seven granddaughters, Alica Henderson (Mike) and Amy Stewart of Milledgeville, Hayle Moon (Bobby) of Deepstep, Hilary Meeks Amerson (Alan) of Tennille, Courtney Finken Orangeburg, South Carolina, Megan Meeks of Sandersville and Melanie Meeks Maddox(Jordan) of Valdosta; and twelve great grandchildren.

The family will be at the home of Russell and Deborah Meeks on Spring Lake Road in Sandersville.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gideons, P. O. Box 891, Sandersville GA 31082 or the Parkinson’s Foundation at support.apdaparkinson.org.

Condolences may be made online at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors has charge of these arrangements.