Velma  M. (Garrison) Watkins was born in Canton Ohio on May 5, 1937. She was the second child of Grady L. and Mary A. (Cunningham) Garrison. After a long illness she departed this life on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at home with her children. "---and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7 Velma attended South Market Elementary School and graduated from McKinley High School both in Canton. As a child and teenager, she attended Christ Temple and Bethel Apostolic Church. While in Washington, DC she earned several technical certifications in medical field. Velma was baptized in Jesus Name at Bible Way Apostolic Church in also in Washington, DC. She married the late John W. Watkins, Sr. of Canton, and to this union was born three children. Several years later, the family moved to Washington, DC to peruse better career opportunities. Velma had a long career in the medical field as a certified emergency room technician, and a patient family counselor. Also, she worked for the Prince Georges County Government of Maryland as a licensing permit agent. She retired from Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington DC. She was an avid reader, a political junky, a lover of nature and an outstanding cook. In her earlier years she loved roller skating at the Pathfinder rink in Canton and skating in Alliance, OH as well. She had an outstanding memory and could recall things most of us had long forgotten. Velma was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, Grady L. Garrison, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: John W. Watkins, Jr. of Brooklyn, NY; Lynn A. Watkins of Upper Marlboro, MD, Christopher M. Watkins (Elzora) of Washington, DC; grandchildren: Christopher D. Watkins of Stevens Point, WI, Niya Watkins of Washington DC; a brother, Gary A. Garrison of Pontiac, MI; a sister, Gwendolyn Louise (Garrison) Bishop, and James Shelley, of Canton, OH; an aunt, Loretta Graham of Milwaukee, WI, and a great number of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.