Chief Charlie Morgan Watkins, Sr., Columbus Police, Retired, 91, of Columbus, MS, entered the gates of Heaven on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 1, 2023, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Pete Bowen officiating. Interment will be in Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS directing.

Mr. Watkins was born October 27, 1931, in Shuqualak, MS to the late Carrie Luke and Rufus Watkins, Sr. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus and loved the Lord first and foremost followed by his lovely wife, Jewel, who he referred to as his orchid. He served the Columbus Police Department for 26 years with his final 19 years being Chief of Police. Mr. Watkins was the longest serving Chief of Police since 1840 in Columbus, MS. He was promoted from Lieutenant to Chief of Police on April 22, 1971, while attending the Southern Police Institute at the University of Kentucky. He graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA, in March of 1975. Mr. Watkins served as president of the Tennessee and Mississippi Sheriff and Peace Officer Association from 1976 - 1977. He was also president of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police in 1976. Additionally, he served as president of MS Law Enforcement Officers Association from 1982-1983.
Due to his belief that further education was of utmost importance to be a successful law enforcement officer, he implemented many training programs. He was a consultant to Chief of Police in Jackson, Meridian and Grenada, as well as taught classes of police courtesy and domestic violence. He created an in-car seminar taped series for police officers to listen to in their patrol cars which was chosen nationwide as a contribution to educate officers. While being Chief he kept a sign on his office door which read, "The Only Way To Fix A Ticket Is To Pay For It." During his tenure as Chief of Police, he increased the number of police officers, police vehicles and the standard of police equipment. The gun firing range commonly known as "Hogan's Alley" was also built during this time, which resulted in the Columbus PD Pistol Team winning numerous awards. Affectionately known as Chief to many, even after his retirement, and Pa Chief to his grandchildren, he had a positive influence on his family, friends and everyone in the community that he encountered. He emphasized to his children to always be kind and to treat everyone with respect and dignity, since you never know the inner struggles others may be battling.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Watkins is preceded in death by his son- Charlie Watkins, Jr.; brothers- Luke Watkins, Rufus Watkins, Jr., Haynes Watkins, Paul Watkins, Bobby Watkins; sisters- Elsie Watkins, Martha Shepherd and Bebe Adams.
Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife, Jewel Chunn Watkins; children- Alisa (Phil) Hollis, Bobby (Tina) Watkins, Shelia (Will) Kellum; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother- James "Sugarpie" Watkins; sister- Helen Lindley; daughter in law- Sherry Watkins and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be the Columbus Police Department Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Karissa Boyd, Dr. Robert Jones and Staff, Staff of Baptist Hospice and MS Home Care.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.