In less than a month on March 21, the first-ever African American elected to the Rockingham City Council and second to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners in the 20th century*, first-ever principal of the county’s first integrated school, and the oldest living member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity James Clyde “J.C.” Watkins will celebrate his 100th birthday!
A child of the Great Depression, Watkins grew up on a tenant farm in the Beaver Dam community. He attended the segregated Lincoln School and then Rockingham Colored School. After graduating high school in 1939, he was awarded a scholarship to attend Shaw College, now Shaw University, where he pledged to the Iota Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity in 1940.
He began his career as an educator in 1943 as the youngest male teacher during the 1943-1944 school year at the former Rockingham Negro High School, which was later renamed to Leak Street School. Not only did his iconic career as an educator and leader in Richmond County begin there, but he also met the love of his life, the late Ruth Perry Watkins, whose French and Social Studies classroom was next door. Between the class change conversations and a ride home after work, love blossomed between the two and resulted in their nuptials in August of 1946 at Calvary Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey.
A huge proponent for both educating others and continuing his own education, Watkins earned a master’s degree from Columbia University and an educational specialist degree from Appalachian State University. Watkins worked his way up in Richmond County Schools, becoming a principal and later assistant superintendent before his retirement from the school system with 43 years in 1984.
In 1973, Watkins made history when he was elected as the first black to serve on the Rockingham City Council. He served as a councilman until 1990, at which time he was elected to serve on the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, which he served on until 2008. As a councilman, Watkins was instrumental in getting a $10 million grant to improve the infrastructure of the black communities that had long been neglected. During his tenure as a county commissioner, he played an integral role in the growth of Richmond County’s industrial parks, with industries such as Duke Energy, Perdue Farms and Big Rock Sports coming to the county during his service.
On Oct. 29, 2019, the Leak Street Cultural Center was named in honor of J.C. and Ruth Watkins for their lifetime of dedication to the betterment of the community.
On June 5, 2021, Watkins was honored for 81 years of service and dedication to the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity surrounded by brothers, family and friends, and local community members who celebrated his tremendous legacy.
J.C. and his late wife, Ruth, have also been dedicated members of Mount Zion Church of Christ.
Join us today in honoring this local legend within public education, local government, Black History, and in Richmond County!
*See our feature from the 2021 Black History Series on Ruth Perry Watkins here: https://visitrichmondcounty.com/f/ruth-perry-watkins *
NOTE: This article has been corrected. Maceo McEachern was elected as a county commissioner in 1972 and three served during the Reconstruction Era: Robert Fletcher, Tod McAlister and Harry Snead. H/T John Hutchinson.
Meghann Lambeth is executive director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority.
(Editor’s Note: Visit Richmond County is highlighting prominent local African Americans each day in February in honor of Black History Month. Previous individuals featured include late Richmond County sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr., late state representative Harrison Ingram Quick, dancer and makeup artist Ciarra Kelley, Ellerbe Mayor Brenda Capel, two-time Super Bowl champion Perry Williams, Bishop Arlester Simpson of Ellerbe, Richmond County School Board member Ronald Tillman, and educator Melvin Ingram. See the Visit Richmond County Facebook page for more on these outstanding individuals.)
