Dyona Brown Watkins was born November 26, 1943, to the late Lawyer Brown, Sr. and Annie Mae Brown. She departed this life on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at her home in Florence, Alabama.

She confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Zion C.P.C.A. in Killen, Alabama, there she served faithfully as an Elder, Mother of the Church, and Church Clerk. Later she joined Bailey Springs A.M. E. Church and served as Mother of the Church, Secretary, and President of the Usher Board.

Dyona graduated from East End High School. She attended Daniel Payne College in Birmingham, Alabama, for two years. She also attended nursing school for a year. Dyona was a great caregiver for her father, mother and first cousin. She was a private nurse for many years. Her hobbies were fishing and entertaining.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers (Robert Lee Brown and Eddie James Brown, Sr.)

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband of 54 years, Herman Watkins, Sr.; two sons, Herman Watkins, Jr. (the late Yvette Watkins) and Howard Watkins (Sheenia) both of Florence, AL; one daughter, Regina Watkins (Courtney) of Florence, AL; one step-daughter, Jessica Pruitt of Louisville