Margaret Sullivan Watkins went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. She was 89. This video is part of her celebration of life held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 5, 2013 at Grace United Methodist Church in Natchez, Mississippi Margaret Sullivan Watkins (March 15, 1924 - July 31, 2013) NATCHEZ-Funeral services for Margaret Sullivan Watkins, 89, long time resident of Natchez, who died Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at her residence, will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 5, 2013 at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Vicki Watkins Landrum and Rev. Nance Hixon officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. Monday until time of service at the church. Mrs. Watkins was born March 15, 1924 in Bude, MS, the daughter of Mark Alexander Sullivan and Marvel Neal Sullivan. She graduated from Prentiss High School, Prentiss, MS, and from Copiah-Lincoln Junior College at Wesson, MS, where she met her future husband, Troy B. Watkins. She liked to say that she earned a "PHT" degree (Putting Hubby Through) since they were married as he pursued two years at Millsaps College, earning his BA degree, one year of law school at Ole Miss, and two years in graduate school earning his MA degree. Mrs. Watkins assisted her husband in operating Natchez Tobacco and Specialty Company and in later years, four convenience stores in the area. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for 60 years, having served as a kindergarten teacher and a substitute adult class teacher. She also served as pianist for the children's choir, the adult choir, and church services, as needed. She served as an officer in the Grace United Methodist Women for many years, on the local and district levels. She often stated that her main goal in life was to rear her five children in a manner that they would be a credit to her and her husband and to their hometown, and she felt she accomplished that. Mrs. Watkins was preceded in death by her husband, Troy B. Watkins, her parents, one brother and his wife, Walter Neal Sullivan and Judyne Stringer Sullivan, and one sister, Bobby Joyce Sullivan Inabnet. Survivors include three sons: Dr. Troy B. Watkins, Jr. and wife, Susie, of Boise, ID, William David Watkins and wife, Susan, of Jackson, MS, and Paul B. Watkins and wife, Paula, of Clinton, MS; two daughters: Margaret Watkins Robison of Natchez, and Carole Watkins Evans and husband, Gary, of Ocean Springs; one sister: Jimmye Sullivan Walker of Jackson; eleven grandchildren: Jessica Taylor Watkins of Birmingham, AL, Hiliary Watkins Godbeer of Phoenix, AZ, David Watkins, Jr. of Jackson, Jason Watkins and wife, Laney, of Jackson, Paul B. Watkins, Jr. and wife, Jessica, of Oxford, Allison Watkins of Jackson, Will Robison of Hattiesburg, Hamilton Robison and wife, Johnny, of McComb, Drew Robison and wife, Pakou, of Atlanta, GA, Laury Robison Parker and husband, Dave, of McComb, and Reese Evans of Ocean Springs: eight great grandchildren: Avery Parker, Jeremy Horvat, Rachel Horvat, Webster Watkins, Douglas Elaine Watkins, Seirra Robison, Mikael Robison, and Lillie Watkins; and by a number of nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Rachel Sullivan of Madison. Special thanks go to great granddaughter, Avery Parker, and former daughter-in-law, Dr. Margaret Watkins. Pallbearers will be grandsons: David Watkins, Jr., Jason Watkins, Paul Watkins, Jr., Drew Robison, Will Robison and Hamilton Robison. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 2 Fatherland Rd., Natchez, MS 39120 or to the Natchez Adams County Humane Society.

• published: 06 Aug 2013
• views: 28