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On November 23, 2023, our beloved Diana Watkins returned into the realm of Allah. She was on August 11, 1970, to Amanda and Ellington Watkins in New York City. She shared her birth with her twin sister, Dionne Watkins, and was the first born of the two. She lived for fifty-three years.

Diana was a precious child who loved to read and learn new words. Her verbal eloquence was one of her many talents. Diana enjoyed being active and participating in many sports including gymnastics and double Dutch. While attending John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx in the 80s, she became a double Dutch champion, receiving first place. Her mother would affectionately nickname her "champ" for her signs of strength, perseverance, and endurance in al that she did.

It was Diana's compassionate, soothing, and enduring spirit that paved the way to her true purpose. She attended Borough of Manhattan Community College in 1991, majoring in early childhood education. It was also around this time that she would meet her future husband, Steven Omar King, Diana, and Omar would go on to have two beautiful daughters; Dabney born in 1992 and Brandi born in 1994.

The special needs of her daughter Brandi would help her realize her full potential as a teacher. Having no experience in these matters, Diana leapt into the role of devoted mother. Despite some medical obstacles and educational challenges, Diana was determined to give Brandi many opportunities to help enrich her life. Diana learned through these experiences that she was blessed with a gift. She had a knack for being pragmatic in teaching and reaching children of all ages and various skill levels. For the next eighteen years, she worked as a special education at the Harry Gordon School in the Bronx. Both students and staff alike adored her. She would go on to make many strong partnerships and build lifelong friendships.

In 2019, Diana would embark on a change of pace by working at the Harriet Tubman Charter school located in the south Bronx. She was nervous about teaching first grade by naturally excelled. She continued to broaden her education by pursuing a graduate degree.

In 2021, Diana would be making major life changes yet. She was ready to find her dream home and picked North Carolina as her destination. Having had many family members in the area, she decided on Concord. Her husband, daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren followed suit. She would continue teaching elementary student at Eastside Stream and Ace Academy.

Diana throughout her entire life stood for righteousness. She was a staunch follower of the Most High Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Louis Farrakhan. She lived her days according to the tenets of "how to eat to live." She strived to eat well, fasted, exercised regularly, expanded her mind by reading, played both piano and guitar, and always gave glory to Allah for all she was blessed with.

Her family deeply mourns this loss as she was a huge part of their lives. Her generosity, humanity, benevolence, selflessness, and jovialness will continue to be celebrated by them. Those left to cherish her include her husband, Omar; daughters, Dabney and Brandi; sisters Sharon and Anika; grandchildren, Kadin, Kellyse, Kash, and Kori; nieces Amanda, Celeste, Chelsea, Amaria, Gia, and Wren; nephews, Jordan and Joshua; and a host of other relatives, in-laws, and friends.