Larkin Smith Watts was born on November 2, 1938, in Evington, Virginia; the third son of Luther and Eunice Watts. Larkin attended the then-segregated Campbell County School System and through his sharp, inquisitive mind, and love of reading, he graduated early at age sixteen. Larkin was a country boy to his core and spent his youth working with his sisters and brothers on the family farm and spent leisure time hunting and fishing in the surrounding woods and streams.

However, Larkin wanted to experience the world beyond "Down the Road," and in December 1955, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps-at seventeen years old-and boldly left for California. Larkin took with him his father's words as he departed: "Son, I have nothing to give you but my name. Be sure to honor that name." And honor it he did. Larkin proudly upheld the Watts name as he rose to the rank of Lance Corporal, served his full term, and received an honorable discharge in January 1960. However, Larkin would remind us all: "Once a Marine, always a Marine!"

Returning to Virginia, Larkin applied his leadership skills and discipline to his work at Lynchburg Foundry. He earned many promotions to supervisory positions and ultimately department manager, in a career that spanned over 35 years. During that time Larkin developed many future leaders and built friendships that have endured through today.

Always curious and with an insatiable appetite for achievement, Larkin excelled in martial arts, competing in several Karate tournaments in the area. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, holding leadership positions in that fraternal organization. Additionally, Larkin gave his time as an Evington volunteer firefighter, further demonstrating his love for his community.

But little compares to the life that Larkin and Pam built together in their home on Watts Town Road. In September 1963, Larkin married Pamela Blum and for just shy of 58 years they stood together through the best of times and through the toughest challenges to be faced in life. The strength of their bond through thick and thin remains an example to all who have been part of their lives over the years. Larkin, with Pam at his side, shared a strong love of family, enjoyed traveling, and worshipped together as people of deep faith.

Larkin was a faithful servant to the Word of God as a Deacon in his home church Mt. Pisgah CME, and through his work with Mt. Plain Baptist Church, under the stewardship of his dear friend, brother-in-law, and mentor, the late Reverend Coolidge Rhodes. Through his ministry, Larkin visited, comforted, and shared scripture with those dealing with illness or injury, in long-term care and hospital, bed-ridden at home, or otherwise incapacitated or unable to attend church. Larkin was a true missionary to those in need and touched the hearts and spirits of so many people over the years.

Following retirement, Larkin-now Poppy-took on months of full-time diaper duty as Poppy-Daycare for one of his grandsons. Later, in recent years, as Larkin was faced with his own health challenges, he did not stop his spiritual work. Through the global COVID pandemic, hospital stays, surgeries, and many treatments that came with his battles with cancer, Larkin stayed faithful. Even in his eighties, Larkin embraced online worship, dialing in to weekly worship and Bible study from his trusty flip-phone until days before his passing.

Even as his body slowly gave in, Larkin's lifelong love of trivia and 30-year battle to beat his son-in-law at Jeopardy, kept his mind sharp as when he was a young man who accomplished so much so soon. Larkin was a beloved brother, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather who shared life lessons, advice, quotes, scripture, and words to live by to both young and old "Down the Road" and farther away.

The legacy of Larkin Smith Watts will remain as strong as his Marine Corps handshake to all of his friends, family, and most of all his grandchildren whom he adored with all his heart and loved as deeply as his faith.

A homegoing celebration will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Mt. Pisgah CME Church. The interment will be in the church cemetery. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.