Deloris Watkins

DeLoris Baucum Watkins, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 30, 2016. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church for over 64 years and enjoyed working with the five year olds in Sunday School until her husband suffered health problems and she became his caregiver.

Born June 10, 1927, she was raised in the Suqualena Community. In her younger days she was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and was baptized in Warren Lake. She graduated from Suqualena High School where she was Valedictorian of her class. While in school there she enjoyed playing basketball and taking part in all the school plays.

Upon graduation she began work at Merchants and Farmers Bank where she was a bookkeeper. While there she met, and shortly after married, Billy Anderson Watkins, with whom she enjoyed over 58 years of marriage.

DeLoris had a special place in her heart for animals. If there was an animal that needed food or medical attention, she would help them. She always thought God sent the hungry and wounded animals to her because He knew she would help them. The animals did not have a voice so she would be that voice for them to get them food or a home.

Her family was always very important to her. She was always there for all the family with love, encouragement, kind words and support. Her family knew they could count on her. She has taken care of many family members. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She will be missed by her daughter, Gloria Lynn Watkins and her husband Dennis Ray Null; her grandson, Dr. Kyle Dennis Null and his wife, Brandy Dawn; two great-grandchildren, Paxton Kyle and Dylan Cade; a granddaughter, Apryl Renee' Odom, and her husband, Dustin Lynn Odom; a niece Rachel Gordy and two nephews, Paul Baucum and Don Cohen. She will also be missed by her daughter's childhood friend, Judi Thompson Gilmer, who spent many, many good times with the family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Anderson Watkins; her parents, Levi Ebb Baucum and Ellen Mae Hynes Baucum; her sister, Mildred Ebbilene Webb and her husband George Webb; her brother Charles Arnold Baucum and his wife, Peggy Joyce Baucum and a nephew, David Arnold Baucum.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 1, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home in Meridian. Services will be Thursday, June 2, at Webb Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Brother Carl White will officiate and Franklin Denham will be soloist.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Ray Null, Dr. Kyle Dennis Null, Dustin Lynn Odom, Paul Eric Baucum, Wayne Gordy and Alan Davidson.

Memorials can be made to Highland Baptist Church.

Visitation

James F. Webb Funeral Home
2514 7th Street
Meridian, MS  39301
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
5:00 pm-8:00 pm

Service

James F. Webb Funeral Home
2514 7th Street
Meridian, MS  39301
Thursday, June 2, 2016
11:00 am

Cemetery

Magnolia Cemetery
23rd Ave.
Meridian, MS  39301