Karissa M. Watkins

Albany, Karissa M Watkins. With broken hearts the family of Karissa Watkins share her sudden passing
on August 15, 2022. Karissa was born February 27, 1991 to devoted parents Melanie Wager (James) and Todd C. Watkins. Even as a small baby, Karissa was the light of her family and entertained her maternal
grandparents Joyce and John Rose as well as her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Karissa’s memories will be forever cherished and shared by her soul mate and sister Stephanie D. Watkins and her fiercely protective brothers Todd C Watkins, Jr (Jackie) and Christopher Burnell. Her love of her culture, ethnicity, and spirituality will forever live on through her proudest accomplishment,
her children; Anyla, Ziona, Zhaki, Ariya, and Xa’mil. Her love for them knew no limits. Her nephews and
nieces will miss her unconditional love and kind soul. Karissa welcomed all as family and was loved dearly by bonus parents Billie Jean Arnold, James and Mallette Cooper, bonus siblings Marcus Cooper, Andrea Mauzon, Geraldina “Gooch” Cooper, and special friends Isiah Cooper and Bill Fordley. Karissa
was predeceased by her paternal grandmother Barbara Jean Bussey and maternal grandfather Howard Wager. Educated in the Troy City School District, Karissa was an intelligent and avid learner self-taught in holistic
and spiritual beliefs. She channeled this knowledge, her creativity and her entrepreneurship into her homemade natural skin moisturizers, bath salts, healing balms, and beautiful stone necklaces and
bracelets.
Prior to her passing, Karissa developed a special relationship with God.