Yvette Anita Watkins was the third child born to Juanita E. (Clayton) and John H. Watkins, Sr.  Sr. in Akron, OH.  Yvette attended Akron Public Schools and took some courses at the University of Akron after graduating from South High School in 1963.  She was active in church from an early age and at the age of 16 or 17 accepted the position of Sunday school Secretary at the Coburn Street Church of God.  Yvette was always a very smart young lady and excelled in Secretarial classes.  Those skills were instrumental in her securing a full-time position as one of the first African American secretaries at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, right after graduating high school.

After leaving Goodyear, Yvette continued to hold positions of increasing responsibility at the Akron Urban League, PIC, and Goodwill Industries.  Her passion and expertise were in the area of Human Resources job training, recruiting and placement.  Prior to retiring, she held the position of Vice President of Workforce Development for Goodwill Industries.  She prided herself in the fact that she never called off work during her last several years of employment.

Family and friends will tell you that Yvette was a kind and private person, who loved the Lord.  Her family meant the world to her, and she meant the world to them.  She was lovingly called the "Chair" by her family, and she loved being in charge, she enjoyed family reunions, Thanksgiving, and Christmas dinners with the family.

Yvette struggled with health problems for several years, but she was strong-willed, faithful, and never gave up.  Her daughter Yolanda and Grandson Martin took very good care of her.  Before her health began to fail, she was a proud member of the Ohio Black Women's Leadership Caucus and the Akron South High School Alumni.  She loved the good work they were doing in the Akron community and truly enjoyed genuinely enjoyed the friendship of the women and men in the respective organizations.

Yvette departed this earthly life on Saturday, October 14, 2023.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son David, brothers John Jr. (aka Butch) and Michael Sr., niece Alisa Watkins, Rebecca Corbin, nephews Zachary Martin Jr., Tywan and Tion Watkins, cousins Betty Ann Clayton, Karen Richardson and Cherese Richardson, special uncles Rollin Clayton, Sr. and Warren Clayton Sr. Yvette is survived and dearly missed by her daughter Yolanda and very special grandson Martin Hill II; sister and best friend Barbara Leathers; grandchildren Stephanie Watkins, Jessica Watkins, Dion Watkins, Sr., Brianna Watkins; great-grandchildren Journey Lumpkin, Jrue Lumpkin, Dion Watkins and Osiris Watkins; special  nieces and nephews Monica Corbin, Michelle Harris, April Watkins,  Garnett Leathers, Jr., Garland Leathers, Sr., Michael Watkins, Jr., Marwin Watkins, Keith Watkins, Kevin Watkins (Patricia), Paige Suttles (Maurice), G'Ante Leathers,  Sydnee Leathers, Meagan  Leathers, Taleah Leathers and Garland Leathers, Jr.;  Sister-in-laws Lois Watkins and Sherron Watkins, and a host of additional cousins, nieces and nephews and special family friends Martin Hill, Sr., LaDonna Johnson and Danielle Peters.