Brother LarTonie "Tony" Watkins was born March 4, 1958, to the late Earnest and Myrtle Watkins in York, AL.

Tony confessed his faith in Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Pleasant  Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. O.B. Wilson in York, AL.  He later was added to the Church of Christ in Vernon, AL.

He was a 1977 graduate of Sumter High School in York, AL.  He was currently employed with Marathon Equipment Company for 34 years in Vernon, AL

On December 21, 1981, Tony was united in Holy Matrimony to Shirley Ann Williams Watkins.  From this union they raised two handsome sons, Christopher A. Watkins and Christopher D. Lucky.  With the establishment of this family, they enjoyed thirty-six beautiful years together.

On December 18, 2017, God sent down one of His majestic angels to guide  Brother LarTonie "Tony" Watkins home for eternal rest.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 1:00 in the chapel of Chandler Funeral Home with Delmar Garrison officiating.  He will lie in state 12:00-1:00 prior to the service.  Burial will follow at Bethel Church of Christ Cemetery.  There will be a wake Friday evening 6:00-8:00.  After the wake, there will be a meet and greet with the family at the Vernon Community Center.  There will be a repass Saturday after the service at Westside Church of Christ.

Active pallbearers will be Jerome Coleman, Chris Collins, Bill Turner, Lee Turner, Bill Wayne, and Troy Hollis.  Honorary pallbearers will be Cecil Patrick, Eddie Collins, Edwin Collins, Joe Lances, Rodney Knight, and Nate Thomas.

Tony leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Shirley Watkins; two sons, Christopher A. (Hazel) Watkins of San Diego, CA and Christopher D. (Karen) Lucky of Vernon, AL; one God son, Nokomis Baird of Holly Springs, MS; one brother, Lee (Diane) Watkins of Livingston, AL; three sisters, Shirley (Eghar) Shackelford of Detroit, MI, Vornseal Brooks of York, AL, and Delores (Earnest) Johnson of Huntsville, AL; two granddaughters, Destini and Keionna Lucky of Millport, AL; one grandson, Jacob Watkins of San Diego, CA; his mother-in-law, Lillie M. Williams of Columbus, MS; two brothers-in-law, Jimmy (Pearlie) Williams of Liberty, AL and Herbert (Beverly) Williams of Ethelsville, AL; five sisters-in-law, Maggie Williams, Heneritta (Isaac) Fenster of Columbus, MS, Willie Vaughn of Tuscaloosa, AL, Daisey Watkins of Columbus, MS, and Diane Watkins of Livingston, AL;and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Watkins, Sr. and Myrtle Watkins; two sisters, Archie "Pig" Taylor and Jerle Watkins; one brother, Earnest "Sunny" Watkins, Jr.; and two brothers-in-law, James Taylor and James Brooks.