Judith Lea Watkins

Judie was born in Roland, Iowa. Her parents were Sherman Jerome and Leah Mozelle Reynolds Tollefson. She is survived by her husband Bill; brothers David (Betty) Tollefson and Nick (Candy) Tollefson; children Susan Lynne Watkins, Shelley Lea (Mike) Marsh, Robert Emory Epperson, Christine Kay ( Mike) Likins, and Michael Paul Watkins, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by daughter, Rene Ellen Drewes.

Judie's family moved to Waterloo, Iowa in 1941. She attended West Waterloo High School, received a BA Degree from The University of Northern Iowa and did graduate work at UNI and Cal State University Bakersfield. In Waterloo, she worked as a reading specialist and an early elementary teacher. She and Bill moved to Bakersfield in 1986 where she taught for several years at Franklin Elementary until she had to take a medical retirement in 1999.

Judie has been a member of The First Presbyterian Church where she has served as a deacon, sung in the choir, and has been in various volunteer work. She has also been a member of Chapter QX of PEO where she served as Recording Secretary and Chaplain. She also sang for several years with the Sweet Adelines.

Above all else, Judie loved God, family and friends.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, November 28th, at Hillcrest Memorial Park Chapel.