John C. Watkins was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on March 1, 1947. He is the son of B. Chewning and Margaret Bowman Watkins. He attended Chesterfield County Schools and graduated from Midlothian High School in 1965. In 1969, he received a B.S. in Agriculture/Horticulture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Watkins served in the United States Army from 1969 through 1971. He has been affiliated with Watkins Nurseries, Inc. since 1971, and has served as president of the company since 1990. From 1973 to 1981, Watkins was an adjunct faculty member of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. He has served on the Chippenham Medical Center/Johnston-Willis Hospital Board of Directors (1993-present) and the Richmond Metro Electric Vehicle Readiness Committee as General Chairman (1996-present). In 1982, Watkins was elected to the Virginia General Assembly-House of Delegates from the 34th Legislative District (Chesterfield, Powhatan, and Colonial Heights.) From 1983 to 1997, Watkins represented the 65th Legislative District (Chesterfield and Powhatan Counties). In 1998, Watkins was elected to the Virginia Senate where he represents the 10th Senatorial District comprised of the County of Powhatan and parts Chesterfield, Henrico, and the City of Richmond. Watkins has been active in encouraging increased cooperation between the City of Richmond, and the county governments of Henrico and Chesterfield. He is married to Kathryn Clawson Watkins and has three children: John Michael, Robert Schofield, and Thomas Ryan.