Avery Isaiah Watkins

Avery Isaiah Watkins was born on March 21, 1997 in Papillon, Nebraska at Midlands Hospital to Vonceal Garrison and Anthony “Tony” Otha Watkins.He was Vonceal’s only child and Tony’s youngest.In 1999, Vonceal became partners with Michelle Peak, and Michelle became Avery’s bonus-mom and lifetime mentor.In 2000, Vonceal, Michelle and Avery moved to Texas, and Avery began his life in the state he would call home for the remainder of it. Avery graduated from Mansfield’s Lake Ridge High School in June 2015 with a 3.5 GPA.He matriculated to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas in the Fall 2015.He started his college career majoring in Physics, and transferring to Finance in his sophomore year.At the time of his passing, he had over a 3.0 GPA at TTU. Avery was a quiet child and young adult; an extreme introvert.He did not let many people into his world, but those whom he let in knew he was one of the kindest, gentlest souls that ever lived.And while he was a man of few words, when he spoke, he spoke with intention and with thought.He had a deep intellectual curiosity in understanding the world around him, particularly the natural world.This manifested in his love of science, particularly astronomy and physics.Avery took pride in himself, particularly his ability to be financially independent and responsible beyond his years (much to his parents’ pride).Avery loved to travel and explore new places.He loved the beaches of the Caribbean, and due to his love of Japanese cartoons and video games, he longed to see Tokyo.Avery worked hard and intensely planned his efforts in subjects that held his interest, while he refused to waste his time on things that bored him. It is almost as if he knew his life would be too short to waste time. Avery passed away on February 4, 2019.Those of us left behind know that he left us far too soon.We are left knowing what an incredible impact he had on all of us and the world, yet wishing deeply that he could have been with us longer. Avery is survived by his parents and step-parents, Vonceal Garrison, Tony & Rosemarie Watkins, and Michelle & Lauren Peak; his siblings, Shanay Lewis-Martinez, Shanica Grayson, and Jackson, Grant and Simone Peak; his grandparents, Barbara Watkins, Jerry Holley and Eileen Peak; his nieces and nephews, Caitlyn Holdbrook, Jailen Lewis, Chiristian Martinez and Amir Martinez; his aunt and uncle Jeritha and Bo McIntyre, uncle Bryan Darvell Garrison, as well as numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins.He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Cheryl Eileen Jackson, and his grandfather, Curtis Watkins, Sr. Avery was a beloved son, brother, cousin and friend.He will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, please click on the website link down below, to make a donation in Avery's memory, to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (See link down below)