Two Bible verses that Virgil Lesley Watkins often quoted to his children and grandchildren were:
Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." And, James 5:16, "The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Virgil Watkins lived a life as a prayer warrior and one that gave unselfishly to God, his family and to others. On September 13, 2018, God welcomed his good and faithful servant home. A day, that although was filled with grief, was a day also filled with joy, laughter, memories, and anticipation knowing there is a God and a heaven welcoming his faithful servant home. Even through death, Virgil witnessed, loved, laughed, prayed and displayed grace. As he talked to each person, he reminded them that as a Christian he had no fear of death and he couldn't wait to see them in heaven in about forty to fifty years.
Virgil was born February 27, 1935 to Aaron "Spike" and Ruby Watkins in Shattuck, Oklahoma. Born a twin, Vernon and Virgil were welcomed by siblings, Lloyd, Charlie, Darrell and Darlene. Virgil grew up in the Western Oklahoma town of Fargo. However, knowing there were more job opportunities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Virgil made the move to Tulsa at the age of seventeen.
God had a plan for Virgil. Tulsa is where he fell in love at first sight with Frankie Campbell, his little sweetie. They were married on June 5, 1955 and remained married for sixty-one years until God promoted Frankie to her heavenly home. It is through the fervent prayers of Frankie, Virgil surrendered his life to Christ. Into this marriage brought four children. The oldest, Aaron Glen, lived just a short time after birth. However, God blessed Virgil and Frankie with three more children that he is survived by, Les and wife Patricia of Tulsa, Lloyd and wife Renee of Claremore, and daughter Lisa Herndon of Tulsa. God's blessings did not stop there. Virgil, is also survived by grandchildren, Tara Brooke Watkins and husband Bruce Kaye, Chad Watkins, Cole Watkins, Lawren and wife Danielle Watkins, Ashley Foss, Preslie Watkins and Palmer Watkins along with great granddaughters Kaisley, Hadley and Swayzee. In Virgil's words, he loved making memories with them. His children and grandchildren learned the value of commitment and unselfishness along with the power of prayer and faithfulness from their dad and grandfather.
Virgil is also survived his sister Darlene Piersall and many nieces and nephews along with his church family and friends. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Spike and Ruby, his wife, Frankie, son Aaron Glen, brothers Lloyd, Charlie, Darrell and twin brother Vernon.
After a long career as a tool grinder and machinist, Virgil retired from McDonald Douglas. Not only was he a devoted and hard worker, he loved his church and his family. Virgil was a member of Regency Park Church of the Nazarene. Virgil could be found volunteering throughout the week at the church along with helping members of the congregation. He always greeted everyone with a smile and made sure visitors felt welcomed and loved. Virgil loved to bowl, golf and coach his sons in baseball and softball. He and Frankie could be found in attendance at all his grandchildren's school and sporting events. Virgil loved his OU Sooners. He never missed watching football, women's softball and on occasion OU baseball. When he wasn't having his devotion and prayer time, helping others and OU football or softball was not on TV, you would find him watching tennis or golf, reading or more recently putting his puzzle together that his summer adoptive granddaughter, Jordyn Johnson, gave him. Virgil always had an encouraging word for everyone he met. His true gift was sharing his Christian faith. Each person Virgil encountered knew what God had done for him and his family and they were assured Virgil's one desire for them was to know God in the personal way he knew God.
A celebration of Virgil Watkins life will be held Saturday, September 22, 10 a.m. at Regency Park Church of the Nazarene in Tulsa. Visitation will be Friday, September 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Moore Funeral Home located at 9350 E. 515t, Tulsa
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Regency Park Church of the Nazarene children and teen camp scholarship fund. Virgil's one desire was that the youth have an opportunity to experience camp and develop a deeper relationship with God. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233