Sibyl L Watkins

Sibyl, 93, went peacefully to be with her Lord on Wednesday, December 19th surrounded by her loving family. She was born at home on a farm in Smith County, near Troup, Texas, on July 14, 1919 on her daddy's twenty-eighth birthday. When she was very young her family moved to Ballinger, Texas where her mother's family lived. She was the first of six children born to Andrew Jackson and Sallie Vivian Long. Sibyl loved school and reading was her passion. She finished High School at the age of 16 and began her first job in a government welfare program for youth where she met her future husband. She was married to Sherman Watkins on January 16, 1942, in Ballinger, Texas. They were blessed with five children. Sibyl came to know and love Jesus at the First Church of God in Ballinger. She served the Lord faithfully at the First Church of God and later the First Church of the Nazarene in San Angelo. Through the years she served as a Sunday School Teacher, a choir member, a youth leader, treasurer and head hostess for church dinners. She was very dedicated to the ministry of the church. Our Mother's favorite Scripture was, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Prov. 3:5-6 She had a tremendous love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always made sure that their favorite dishes were prepared. As long as her health permitted, she attended graduations, weddings and baby dedications of her family. She was always fun-loving and loved to interact with her grandchildren. She was often teased about her life's perspectives. Sibyl was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her three brothers: Jack, Billie and C.A. Long; and a grandson, Mark Sanders. She is survived by two brothers and their wives, O.R. and Lois Long of Tecumseh, MI and Charles and Shirley Long of Austin, TX; five children: Lana Sanders and husband Paul, Mt. Sterling, KY; Kerry Cox and husband Gary, Nixa MO; Roger Watkins and wife Connie, Houston, TX; Harold Watkins and wife Mary Lou, San Angelo, and Janet Hickman and husband Alan, Grapevine, TX; 11 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. As we look back, we think of the faith that was expressed through day-to-day living for Jesus, the love that was extended in so many caring ways, and the blessings that God brought to so many through her life. As we look ahead, we wait in joyous expectation for the reunion that will be ours in heaven and for eternal wonders that we will discover when we are together in the presence of our Lord. Memorials may be made to Hope Hill Children's Home, Hope, KY and the Food Pantry at Freedom Fellowship of San Angelo.