OBITUARY: Patricia Watkins, 90, of Marble Falls dies May 17, 2014
Born Patricia Jean Martin, July 17, 1923, in Stratford, Texas, the daughter of Hazel Brown and Clyde Martin. She was raised by her mother along with her brother, Bill.
Wife of Charles Edward Watkins, mother to Charles Watkins (Marble Falls) and Chris Watkins (deceased).
Survived by son, Charles, and granddaughters, Emily Watkins (Austin) and Sarah Watkins (Monrovia, Calif.) Also has nephews Ted Martin (Stratford) and Denver Martin (Austin) and nieces Mary Pat Williams (Stratford) and Kathleen Searle (Olatha, Kan.) Her sister-in-law Reba Mangham (Longview) was a special friend.
Attended TWU and earned a BA in dietary science. Worked as a dietician in Galveston, where she met her husband and married him Dec. 28, 1947.
Lived all across Texas as husband was in the oil business. Settled in Corpus Christi to raise her family and then moved to San Antonio when her husband became a vice-president of Valero. Retired to Longview in East Texas. After her husband passed away, she moved to Marble Falls to be with her son, Charles. Lived her remaining years at the Claremont Assisted Living Center in Marble Falls, where she made many good friends. Seen around town in her red Mustang convertible.
Hobbies were artwork, bridge, sports, reading and gardening. Avidly followed the news and supported the Democratic Party and several social charities. Loved the Texas Longhorns and the San Antonio Spurs. Always kept a beautiful flower garden.
She traveled the world, visiting Europe, Africa, South America and China. Liked going on “elder hostel” trips to historic locations in the United States. Had a special love for New Orleans, which she visited many times.
Around 10:30 a.m. May 17, 2014, she died peacefully at home after a long struggle with a congested heart condition. She had just taken a sponge bath and laid down to rest, saying, “I feel so clean.”
She did not wish to have a funeral and is being cremated. There will be a small private gathering to scatter her ashes in the spot she chose. Her marker will be in the family plot in the Union Grove Cemetery outside Gladewater.
She asked that any donations in her honor be made to the Highland Lakes Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1406, Marble Falls, TX 78654.
Her son, Charles, remembers her with these words: “She was my mother, my companion, my inspiration — the light of my life.”