[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 5, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROMEO WATKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 2020

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
faithful, civic-minded man and a dear friend, Romeo Watkins, the father 
of my long-time Chief of Staff Yelberton Watkins, transitioned from 
this life on April 30, 2020. He will be sorely missed by all who knew 
him.
  Romeo Watkins was a native of the Ridgewood community of Columbia, 
South Carolina. He was the third of eight children born to the late 
Deacon Leroy and Beatrice Harris Watkins. His was a close-knit family, 
with his maternal grandmother, Agnes Harris, living next door, She took 
Romeo and his siblings to her hometown of Bronson, Florida every 
summer, and played an important role in his upbringing. His maternal 
aunt, Mrs. Franklin Scott Harris, was very close to her nephew, and he 
spent many nights in her home across from the Governor's Mansion.
  Romeo attended Ridgeway Elementary School and Booker T. Washington 
High School in Columbia. At a young age, he learned the value of hard 
work. In the mid-1960s, he became a civilian employee at the Fort 
Jackson U.S. Army training base and continued to work there until his 
retirement in 1993.
  He began barbering as a 10-year old, practicing on his older brother 
Charles, and later owned and operated a barber shop on North Main 
Street in Columbia for over 40 years. Ever the entrepreneur, he was 
also a successful real estate agent. Known for his impeccable taste and 
style, he was always well dressed.
  Those fortunate to know Mr. Watkins knew of his deep Christian faith. 
He was a life-long member of Ridgewood Baptist Church, joining as a 
child. A third-generation member, he served for many years on the 
Church History Committee and was regarded as a historian of the 
Ridgewood community. While he served in many capacities, his greatest 
joy at church was his long tenure as Leader of the Jubilee Choir, a 
role which his father held before him. He was well known throughout the 
city for his expert knowledge of shape-note singing of common meter 
hymns.
  Mr. Watkins was also an avid golfer. It was on the golf course that 
we first met many years ago, and we bonded over our love of the sport. 
He learned to golf as a young caddy on Columbia's segregated golf 
courses, and he enjoyed playing in golf tournaments across Columbia and 
throughout the state. He was an annual attendee of my Rudolph Canzater 
Memorial Classic held each year in Santee, South Carolina, and he also 
served as a Commissioner of the Eau Claire Youth Baseball League.
  Family was always at the center of his life. Left to cherish his 
memory are his wife of 58 years, Annette Caughman Watkins, and their 
four children: Quintus (Verdell) Young, Brigitte Watkins Long, 
Yelberton Romeo Watkins; and Vancito Ethridge Watkins; nine 
grandchildren: Quintus, Justin, Velicia, Gabrielle, Danielle, Autumn, 
Alexi, Tori, and Ashlyn; three great-grandchildren: Jamari, Raleigh, 
and Solomon; and a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, MeadowLake 
neighbors, and close friends.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the life of Romeo Watkins. He was a man grounded in faith and family, 
and no one can leave a greater legacy.

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