The members of Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Lillian, AL, hosted a very special farewell event on Sunday, April 24, for a longtime member, Jerry Watkins. He will be leaving us to move to Buffalo, NY, where he will be closer to his children and grandchildren.
Jerry and his wife, Lynn, joined Shepherd of the Bay on February 26, 1996. They were active in almost every aspect of church life. Lynn went to her heavenly home in 2011.
Jerry served in the Air Force for 26 years and then worked as a physician’s assistant. That prepared him to share his expertise in first aid and medical advice with others.
While a member of the church, he served as President of the Men’s Club and Property Manager. While he was Property Manager, he took on the task of cutting the 16 acres of grass at the church, which put him in the driver’s seat of the John Deere tractor. That tractor is still going strong today. A replica of the green John Deere sat on top of the special cake that was a part of the lunch served during fellowship time after the Divine Service.
The members of the church will certainly miss Jerry, but we all wish him God’s speed, safe travel and good health as he moves next month to be near his family.