Oline "Totsy" Watkins

A private graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 16, 2010 in Parkhill Cemetery with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jimmy Elder and Reverend Frank Beall officiating according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA. 31907. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Totsy was born in Columbus, GA. on August 30th, 1913 daughter of late Thomas Jefferson Kelly and Oline Butts Kelly (nicknamed Totsy by the nurse who attended to new mothers).

She attended Columbus public schools, 10th Street grammar and Columbus High – graduating in 1930. After high school she attended Hollins College (Later Hollins University) in Virginia and graduated in 1934 with an A.B. degree.

After college she began working as a Case Worker with the Muscogee County Department of Welfare where she worked until 1939 when she married Richard N. Watkins. During her life Totsy held many volunteer jobs, which include serving as a Girl Scout Leader, and working in the pre-natal ward at City Hospital. Totsy was a member of the Junior League since 1936, the Oglethorpe Chapter of DAR since 1932 and a member of Cape Jasmine Garden Club.

She was a life long member of First Baptist Church where she was active in the Sunday School Department and WMU in her earlier years.

Her beloved husband, Richard N. “Dick” Watkins, and daughter Frances Watkins Branch, preceded her in death.

She is survived by two daughters, Pam Young (Andy) of Macon, Georgia, Molly Farmer (Andy) of Columbus, Georgia, and Son-in-law, Eddie Branch of Columbus, Georgia. She is also survived by her two sister-in-laws, Mrs. Frances (Sanny) Smith, Columbus, GA, and Mrs. Harold Watkins of Fortson, GA. Her grandchildren Richard Young (Allison), Drew Young (Della) of Macon, Georgia, Kelly Branch of Atlanta, Georgia and Jason Branch (Cile) of Columbus, Georgia. Six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family offers special thanks and love to her caregivers, Mozell Clark, Mamie King, and Joyce Renfroe.

Contributions can be made to the Fran Branch Caregiver Fund, (checks made to John B. Amos Cancer Center), Columbus Regional Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 790, Columbus, GA, 31902, Attn: Karen Cook; Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Rd., Columbus, GA, 31909; First Baptist Church, 212 12th Street, Columbus, GA, 31901, or donor’s favorite charity.