Johnnie Mae Watkins

     Johnnie Mae Watkins, 85, of Meridian, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

     She was born to Johnnie C. and Essie Mae (Cato) Dearman on November 28, 1938, in Lauderdale County.  Johnnie retired from nursing after 35 plus years, serving many years as Dr. Wade’s nurse at Rush Medical Group.  Johnnie loved and feared the Lord and her greatest passion on this Earth was loving and caring for her family.  She enjoyed gardening and was especially proud of her daylilies, traveling to the mountains and to the beach with her husband.

     She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Daniel Dearman.

     She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Martin Andrew Watkins, Sr; son, Martin (Marty) A. Watkins, Jr and wife Dawn; daughters, Lynn Presson and husband Rickey, and Susan Oglesby;  brothers, David Dearman and Frankie Dearman (Jeanne); sisters, Linda Moore, Anita Dearing (Roy), Sarah Kirkpatrick (Eddie), Rachael Fields (Bobby); seven grandchildren, Stephen Shelby (Samantha), Christopher Winstead (Summer), Jason Franklin (Emmie), Gina Gunter, Joshua Watkins, Matthew Watkins (Stephanie), and Andrew Presson (Reagan); and a legacy of fourteen great-grands, Brooke Sims, Ethan Gunter, Ansley Shelby, Jake Shelby, Sarah Beth Gunter, Aly Watkins, Cooper Franklin, Chloe Watkins, Kyle Watkins, Ella Franklin, Olivia Watkins, Charlee Franklin, Kasen Winstead, and Levi Presson.

     The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 1:30 to 3pm at Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-Downtown.   Graveside services will be held just after 3pm at Graham Cemetery, with Bro. Mike and Ronnie Boles officiating.

     Pallbearers for Johnnie’s service will be Stephen Shelby, Chris Winstead, Jason Franklin, Josh Watkins, Matt Watkins, and Ethan Gunter.   Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Jake Shelby, Cooper Franklin, Kyle Watkins, Andrew Presson, Leon Gough, and Alton Kimbrell.

     The family would like to thank all the staff at Compassus Hospice and the sitters that cared for Johnnie, Morgan, Brenda and Renee, for their love and compassion.  Also, a very special thank you to Johnnie’s daughter-in-law, Dawn, for her love and dedication to Johnnie till the very end.

     The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-Downtown is grateful for the opportunity to honor Johnnie’s memory and to serve her loving family during this time.