Joe Tyler Watkins

Joe Watkins, 18, a freshman at Georgia Southern University from Midway, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, from injuries he sustained in a car wreck on Nov. 18. He was born Dec. 25, 1992, to Jan Williams and Pat Watkins. As one coach said, Joe had a natural hunger for baseball. He did achieve one of his lifes goals; signing a scholarship to play ball with a NCAA Division 1 school, GSU. Unfortunately his college ball never went beyond practice which included practice with East Georgia College. Joe didnt brag much, only when he was able to strike out friend, slugger Aaron Hoffer, and then in jest. So well brag for him. He belonged to the church of life and was blessed with many best friends and family who love him for who he was. His other accomplishments included graduating Liberty County High School with HOPE qualification; playing first chair trumpet in middle school band; winning third, second and first place in the Liberty County schools spelling bee in elementary and middle school; placing second at the Midway Middle Schools Sweetheart Dance; being named all-region pitcher and first baseman several years in high school; and being named in the state Top 100 by the Georgia Dugout Club his junior year. An arm injury slowed play during his senior year, but Joe was on the mend. He was a passionate person and cared about people on and off the field. He gave laughter, hugs and was there for anyone. He will live on and we miss him already. Survivors include his parents; brother, Richard Watkins of Savannah and Midway; grandmothers, Jean Watkins Simkins of Columbus, Kan., and Mary Williams of Phoenix, Ariz; girlfriend, Tyler Homberger of Effingham County; aunts and uncles, Mike and Lauri Watkins of Bartlesville, Okla., Mike and Julie DelliVeneri of Anderson, S.C., Jeri Micke of Phoenix, Ann Fletcher of Joplin, Mo., Jim and Rose Watkins of Columbus, Kan., and Bill and Dawn Williams of Fargo, N.Dak.; and numerous cousins across the country. Visitation and viewing will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Carter Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be at noon Saturday, Dec. 3, on Panther Field at Liberty County High School. Seating may be an issue, so bring lawn chairs if you cant stand for the service, which we hope to keep short. Baseball attire will be appreciated. If the weather is bad, the service will be moved to the gym at Midway Middle School. There will be a social time and meal at Midway Methodist Church following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the LCHS Diamond Club Baseball Booster will help buy a new practice pitching backstop. Mail memorials to Adrianne Matthews, DCBB treasurer, at 1223 Pineridge Way, Hinesville, GA 31313. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of arrangements To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joe Tyler Watkins, please visit our flower store.