Patricia Watkins

PUXICO, Mo. — Patricia C. Watkins, 72, formerly of Essex, died Sept. 28, 2018, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter.

Born Sept. 26, 1946, in Charter Oak, daughter of the late Cecil Monroe and  Myrtle Asher Chism, she had lived in Essex before moving to Puxico three years ago. She had worked 30-plus years as a teacher at Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corp. Head Start and was a member of the Harvest Assembly Church in Essex. After moving to Puxico, she attended Duck Creek Baptist Church.

On May 31, 1963, in Catron, she married Leon Watkins, who preceded her in death on May 28, 2018.

Survivors include: two daughters, Diana Devore of Swinton and Mellody Wheetley of Puxico; adopted son and his wife, Buck and Jessica Cruse of Puxico; one sister, Jean Ann Wilson of Grayridge; and five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Lanny Watkins.

Visitation is from 1 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m. Sunday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with Buck Cruse of Puxico officiating.

Burial will be in the Essex Cemetery at Essex.