VIOLA WATKINS

Viola was born on December 18, 1921, to the late Lee and Della Van de Waal Dunn.

She attended Wardell High School in Wardell, where she lettered in basketball. She married William Howard Watkins on September 7, 1940 in Caruthersville. Together they raised five sons. She and Howard were dedicated parents who focused their lives toward providing and caring for their sons. In 1948, they were the winners of the “Plant to Prosper” contest sponsored by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. The award was presented for being the farm family that made the best record in the live-at-home program to include: diversified farming, soil conservation, and farm and home improvement.

Viola was a former member of Micola Baptist Church in Micola, MO, Pemiscot County, and later transferred her membership to Bartlett Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN, upon moving to the Memphis, TN area.

Viola was active with her family, as well as in her community. She saw that her family had 3 full meals every day and was also very involved in their education. She made sure they recognized the value of education by stressing daily attendance, monitoring their homework, assisting with school fundraising events, and being an active room mother. She assisted with all of the many farm duties, planting, harvesting, chores, and gardening. She was active in Farm Bureau for several years holding such title as, Pemiscot County Fair Beauty Pageant Director, and State Committee Woman. She also actively served on the Republican Women Executive Committee.

As the years moved on, Viola and Howard lovingly welcomed daughters-in-law and grandchildren with the same dedication and enthusiasm they had for their own children. Their devotion was spread far and wide as they welcomed each grandchild into the world as though it was their one and only. That kind of love is what they were all about, they set a great example for all.

Viola died December 26, 2017 at her residence in Memphis, TN at the age of 96.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister (Mary Doris Crumley), and her brother, (L.D. Dunn) sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

She is survived by one sister-in-law and friend Ada Vestel “Bug” Wilson of Sikeston, her five sons, William Howard Jr. (Jeanette) Watkins of Germantown, TN, Van Lee (Norma) Watkins of Hillsboro, MO, Tommy Ray (Sandra) Watkins of Collierville, TN, Joe Bob (Sharon) Watkins of Panama City Beach, FL, and Benny Cobene (Victoria) Watkins of Covington, TN. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and step-grandchildren as well as 33 great-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Caruthersville with Bro. Monty Dunn officiating. Honorary pallbearers were William H. Watkins III, Clayton, Keith, Kennett, and Van L. Watkins Jr., Kent Stiles, Robert Hoerter, Terry Sapper, Robert Lehew, Tommy Thetford, and Steven Wyatt.

John W. German Funeral Home of Hayti in charge of services.