Hon. Bro. Millard James Watkins, Jr. – known by Sigmas everywhere simply as “The Dean” – was born in Richmond, Virginia on December 17, 1924.
Growing up, Millard worked alongside his brothers in his father’s barber shop. He started cutting hair as soon as he could hold clippers and a comb – standing on a crate to ensure he was tall enough to see over his patron’s head. The family lived above the barbershop in the Historic Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond. It was in this same barbershop where he would fall in love with music and begin taking lessons on both the clarinet and saxophone.
While still a teenager, the young man we now loving refer to as “The Dean” began playing alongside numerous jazz greats – both local and international artists -on “the Deuce” (2nd Street, a short walk from his father’s shop) during the prime of “the Harlem of the South.” His passion for music, incredible work ethic, and mastery of his instruments provided Hon. Bro. Watkins with many gigs supporting touring artists in the pit at venues like the Hippodrome Theatre. “The Dean” also fronted his own combo for a time; they were known as “Millard Watkins and Kilowatts.”
After a few years further honing his craft (and facing severe discrimination) in the military, Millard returned home and promptly enrolled in Virginia Union University. As soon as he stepped onto campus he knew he wanted to be a Sigma Man. At that time, the Sigmas were the most distinguished of all fraternity men on Virginia Union’s campus. The brothers of the Mighty Lambda Chapter and their Crescents were constantly seen in suits and carrying that morning’s edition of the Wall Street Journal. Millard was successful in his journey to Sigma and was inducted into the Mighty Lambda Chapter in the Spring of 1948 (see photo, Hon. Bro. Watkins is seated second from right; Millard’s longtime friend, Hon. Richard “Dick” Ballard [Pres. #22] is standing, fourth from left). Once on the other side of the burning sands, Hon. Bro. Watkins told himself he was going to do all that he could do within his power to cease the unnecessary and brutal hazing that was common during this era.
Shortly after graduating, Millard married his sweetheart, Katie. “Miss Katie” – as many brothers know her – and Millard had four children, three boys and a girl, in the coming years. “Miss Katie” would later attend Virginia Union University and pledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. while juggling the many responsibilities of being a mother, wife, and student. Several years later, she served as the president of Delta’s Richmond Alumnae Chapter. The Watkins have been married for over 60 years; a true “old school” marriage, they are each other’s best friend.
Millard is a past president of Iota Sigma Chapter as well as a past Virginia State Director and Area IX Director. He has also held numerous other titles and positions in our beloved Sigma over his 61 years in our Wondrous Band. He was inducted into the Distinguished Service Chapter in 2007 at Conclave Charlotte (DSC #159). Hon. Bro. Watkins is truly a brother’s brother – an example of what we should all strive to be as Men of Sigma. Countless brothers both in Virginia and elsewhere can say he served them as both a mentor and a friend.
Please join me in wishing “The Dean” a Happy 85th Birthday.