Hilda Faye (Boykin) Watkins

Hilda Boykin Watkins, of Raleigh passed away on April 14, 2024. Hilda was the youngest child of the late Harvey and Emma Boykin of Wilson. She is preceded in death by her beloved son Don Howard and her husband Kenneth Watkins, as well as her siblings, Bursie, Floyd, Vester, Beatrice, Lela, Eunice, Evel, Rachel, Lida, Thelma and Dorothy. Hilda graduated from Mt Olive College and earned a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from East Carolina University. She taught kindergarten for the State of NC for 30 years.

Hilda is survived by her stepdaughter Maria Watkins, stepsons Loren Watkins and Ricardo Velazco, her beloved caregiver Carolyn Saunders, step grandchildren Rachel and Gabriel Saurez, Ian and Erica Macrone, and step great-grandchild Beckham Macrone.

She was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church where she enjoyed serving on many committees and especially enjoyed serving as a deacon.

Contributions can be made to New Hope Baptist Church for the Parlor in memory of her sister, Rachel Watkins or to the Don Howard Endowment at Mount Olive University in memory of her son.

A service to celebrate Hilda’s life will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at New Hope Baptist Church, 4301 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC 27604. The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 10:00 to 10:45 in the church parlor.

A graveside service will follow at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive.

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