DOVER - Hardin T. Watkins, Jr., was born December 16, 1931 in McComas, W.Va. and departed this earth on Sept. 22, 2012. He was the second child of the late Rev. Hardin T. Watkins, Sr. and Lonnie E. Watkins. He attended the Public Schools of McComas, WV and graduated from Genoa High School of Bluefield, WV in 1949. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he served twenty years and retired as a Master Sergeant. He received his Bachelors degree from Delaware State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He received his Masters degree from Central Michigan University. He worked for and retired from the Delaware State Police after completing seventeen years of service. Hardin was a kind, peaceful, gentle, humble, and passionate person. He had a love for God, his family, and his friends. He touched the lives of many. After relocating to Dover in 1969, he joined Union Missionary Baptist Church where he remained a dedicated member until his death. He was a Deacon, the Church Treasurer, and a Sunday School Teacher. He enjoyed every deed he did and he did them all well. He was a lifetime member of Zeta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alph. He was also a 32nd degree mason associated with the Dover Air Force Base Lodge. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Salem W. Watkins, Joseph Wendell Watkins; and a sister Ethel Celeste Watkins. He leaves to mourn, his devoted wife, Rev, Gladys E. Watkins; two children, daughter, Ivy and step-son, Kim; two sisters, Gracie Thompson of Bluefield, W.Va. and Jacqueline Elliott "Baby Sis" (James) of Millsboro, Del.; one brother, John D. Watkins (Monika), Bluefield, W.Va.; godson, Edmond Smith, Jr. Bluefield, W.Va.; sisters-in-law, Ernestine Forbes of Reston, Va., Bertha Harris of Stafford, Va., Celestine Broady of Virginia Beach, Va.; brothers-in-law, James G. Thompson, of Washington, D.C. (Jeanie), Harold Thompson of Washington, D.C., Charles Thompson of Washington, D.C., Dolton Thompson of Stafford, Va., Muriel Thompson, of Bloomington Prairie, Minnesota (Ragna); and a host of nieces; nephews; and friends. Funeral services will be Friday Sept. 28, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church located at 883 Lincoln Street, Dover. Viewing will be Thursday Sept. 27, 2012 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 717 W. Division Street, Dover. www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com