SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane community members gathered at New Hope Baptist Church on Sunday morning to celebrate and remember the life and legacy of Reverend Happy Watkins.
Pastor Watkins, who passed away on Friday, Oct. 25, served communities in Spokane for close to six decades after moving to Spokane from New York and being stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base.
His son, Pastor James Watkins, told those gathered at the church on Sunday, “We are not funeral-izing. We are celebrating.”
Happy Watkins was known as a man who loved his community and showed that love in a variety of ways, including the push to increase programs supporting Black students graduating high school and preparing for college, and spearheading prison ministry programs.
Watkins was also known for his versions of the infamous "I Have a Dream" speech that he has delivered several years on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Watkins' wife, Etta Watkins, says he was devoted to honoring and sharing Dr. King's message.
“He knew Martin Luther King was for the people and he wanted to, through his work, show he was for the people," said Etta Watkins.
Etta and several of Watkins' other family members say that Happy is at rest.
“He’s gone to glory. No more pains. No more anxiety. He’s where he is supposed to be," said Etta Watkins.
Happy is survived by his wife, five children, twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
“A lot of grandchildren aren’t blessed with 20 years, almost 21 years of life with your grandfather," said Ephram Watkins, one of Happy's grandchildren. "So just trying to change take the negative and turn it into a positive with him and embrace the memories.”
Happy's son, James, now serves as New Hope Baptist Church's senior pastor and says he hopes to further his father's work, including turning funerals into high-spirited celebrations of life.
“I can tell you he lived a great life, he lived a phenomenal life. He blessed a lot of people. He literally helped people until his last days," said James Watkins. “His best quality was his infectious smile. No matter where he went, all he had to do was smile and show his celebration of life.”