Pastor Watkins is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a graduate of Mercer University in Macon GA where she earned a BA degree in Communications. In 1993, she graduated from Johnson C. Smith Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Homiletics and Christian Education. After seminary she was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament and immediately began her vocational service to the church as Presbytery Staff of Campus Ministry at South Carolina State University and Claflin College. It was there that Reverend Watkins developed her approach to ministry as a “down to earth” minister serving with imagination, energy and vitality.
After serving the campuses in Orangeburg SC, she received a call to serve Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church of Lancaster SC and Hermon Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, SC. Under her leadership, Hermon was able to erect a new worship facility. Reverend Watkins was chosen to lead Hermon because of her dynamic preaching abilities as well as her abilities to understand generational characteristics and their impact on the church.
In 1997, Reverend Floretta Watkins was commissioned to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force National Guard. She has served as support to airmen and soldiers in the various situations including the floods of North Carolina in Kingston NC as well as deployment to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. Today she serves as staff chaplain to the 145th Air National Guard as Major Floretta Watkins.
In 2002 Reverend Watkins began her service at Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church.