Henry Clyde Watkins, 63, died May 26, 2009.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. June 3 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. M. Andrew Davis officiating.

He was born Feb. 23, 1946, to Birtha Watkins and the late Henry Clay Watkins. At an early age he confessed Christ and joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Watkins served on the trustee board and sang with Golden Stars Choir.

He attended the public schools of Anson and graduated from West Ansonville High School in 1966. He received a degree in auto mechanics from Anson Technical Community College.

Watkins was also certified in Basic Law Enforcement Training. He worked for the Anson County Sheriff's Office for many years and retired in 1994 as a deputy sergeant.

In 2007 he was elected the mayor of Ansonville.

Watkins is survived by his daughter Denise (Gerald) Cannon of Ansonville; mother Birtha Watkins of Ansonville; a grandson; five sisters, Betty Stafford of Indianapolis, Ind., Wilhelmina Robinson of New York, Shirley Ann (Samuel) Brooks of Baltimore, Md., Phyllis Watkins and Thelma Watkins, both of Ansonville; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The services are in the care of Smith's Funeral Directors.