Renee Watkins Thomasson

With much sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Renee Watkins Thomasson.

Renee, 76, was born to Bonnie and Joseph Watkins Jr. of Graham, NC. She graduated from Graham High School in 1964 with the distinction of winning the Miss Graham High school pageant. Renee also competed in the Miss Graham Pageant and won the first runner-up. All through high school, she would sew her dresses and even made her cheerleading uniform.

Renee went on to meet, date, and marry Tommy and they celebrated 56 wonderful years together. Her dedication, love, and patience blessed us all and provided her family with a loving and supportive home life.

As an example of her dedication and love for Tommy, she flew to Fort Bliss, El Paso Texas where he was based. She was determined to have her husband close at the birth of their first child. When Tommy transferred to New Jersey, she made ends meet as a military wife and always sacrificed to give her child and husband the best. After Tommy was discharged from the Army, he and Renee returned to Elon, NC starting the next phase of life raising their two sons, Todd and Kevin.

Renee used her many talents to bless her family, church, and the community around her. We have many memories of her using her talents to help provide for us, and to fill our lives with her love and happiness. As a young mother, she used her painting talent to create a full-size tree mural of the famous Winnie the Pooh books for her boys to enjoy. She continued using her painting talents for many crafts over the years. She loved gardening, canning, and providing homecooked meals. Her homemade pickles were one of our favorite things.

Renee’s humble dedication to her church was also something of note. On one occasion she sewed all the costumes for the Christmas play at Berea Christian Church. Reminiscent of an episode of the Andy Griffith show, she worked so hard on those costumes that she was awarded the honor of Mrs. Berea Church along with her very own tiara. The wreaths and flower arrangements for the weekly service were also her handiwork. She utilized her accounting skills to perform treasurer responsibilities for the church. Wherever she could she used her skills and talents to glorify God and serve her church and its members.

Incredibly, if Renee did not have a skill that was needed, she would train herself or seek out someone to teach her. She taught herself accounting and studied diligently to master it. She then used that training to become an accountant for Sox and Martin Racing Team. Later, she worked for Alley, Williams, Carmen, and King (architects and engineering firm) as an office manager and accountant for 19 years. All her talents, skills, and activities were minor when compared to her love for her family and dedication to her husband.

Renee is survived by her husband of 56 years, Tommy; her sons Todd and wife, Holly, and Kevin and wife, Christina; her 8 grandchildren: Laura, Cameron, Aaron, Anna, James, Lily, Stella, and Iain; her sister Josie and husband, Joe Taylor; niece Amy Lloyd and husband Phil; nephews Michael Cook and Josh Taylor and wife, Erica; and great nephew Lucas Taylor.

She is preceded in death by her sister Scherrie Roark and her parents Joseph and Bonnie Watkins.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022 beginning at 12:30 pm at Berea Christian Church 2848 Old NC-87, Elon, NC 27244. The memorial service is at 2:00 pm with a reception following service.

Memorial donations may be sent to Berea Christian Church care of Vaughn Willoughby, 3200 N. NC Hwy 87 Elon, NC 27244.