Dolores Watkins

Dolores "Dee" Elaine Bray Watkins, age 86, passed away on August 31, 2025. Dolores was born on February 23, 1939, in Washington, DC, to Carroll Bray, Sr. and Margie Wood Bray, whom preceded her in death.

Dee is survived by her loving husband, James L. Watkins; her wonderful children, Michael Watkins, Richard Watkins, Suzanne Anderson, and Lisa Dabney (Dwight); her sweet grandchildren, Elaine Biedler (Andy), Laura Barker (Michael), Jennifer Shelton (Benjamin), Joshua Roberts (Brittney), Meaghan Frost (Kylan), and Alana Kowolski (Jacob); and her precious great-grandchildren, Tucker Biedler, Reagan Biedler, Benjamin Barker, Matthew Barker, John Simmons, Haylie Shelton, Noah Shelton, Allie Shelton, Benjamin Shelton, Christian Shelton, Savannah Shelton, Hayley Roberts, Courtney Roberts, Avalene Frost, Boden Frost, Eliana Kowolski, Zechariah Kowalski, and another little one on the way; as well as her siblings, Carroll Bray, Jr., Robert Bray, and Melvin Bray.

Dee pursued her education within Psychology and achieved her Bachelor of Science with High honors at VCU and a Master of Science, Psychology, also at VCU. She used her degree within her work as a Psychologist & Investigator at Southside Virginia Training Center.

She had multiple hobbies, interests, and talents. She loved gardening, using care techniques and learning growth patterns per species of plant. Dee loved music such as Zydeco, Country, and Ukulele. She collected many Ukulele pieces as well as played the instrument herself. Dee loved to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren no matter how far they may have lived apart. She would read books and tell stories using video calls, to contact the little ones that live on the West Coast and sending them gifts using Amazon. She also enjoyed traveling as she had made her way to different parts of the world such as Chincoteague, London, Paris, and Vienna Austria.

Dee was heavily involved in volunteer affiliations such as Chester United Methodist where she was a volunteer and member. She was heavily involved with Emergency Medical Services (EMS): a Life Member Ettrick-Matoaca Volunteer Rescue Squad, a Life Member Colonial Heights Fire and EMS, an Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Provider, a Basic Life Support (BLS) & ACLS Instructor, and she was the president of Crater EMS Council for 10 years. She was also a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Debriefing team member which included handling cases involving Assaults, Deaths, Mass Shooting, Murders, Terrorism, and Vehicle crashes. As she was involved in (CISM) she conducted over 500 Debriefings; she provided services to Civilians, EMS, First Responders, Fire Departments, Law Enforcement Agencies, Municipalities, Rescue Squads, and more. With (CISM) Her proudest call for service was part of the post 09/11 (2001) Virginia CISM Strike Team as she spent one week at both the Pentagon and World Trade Center and provided Debriefing and Counseling contacts for all folks at the heart of the 09/11 attacks.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A memorial service & fellowship will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at Chester United Methodist Church, 12132 Percival Street, Chester, VA 23831.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Colonial Heights Fire & EMS in honor of Dee Watkins.