Stephen Lee Watkins

Stephen Lee Watkins, 80, of Decatur, passed away peacefully at home with his family, under the loving care of Hospice and Direct Home Care, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was blessed in marriage to Jean White Watkins of Scottsboro, his loving wife of nearly 55 years. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Friday, August 22.

Born on March 6, 1945, in Birmingham, Steve was the son of Richard Lee Watkins and Yvonne Kathryn Crawford Watkins. He graduated from Decatur High School and went on to earn a degree in architecture from Auburn University in 1969, where he was a proud member of Sigma Pi fraternity.

Following graduation, Steve began his career in architecture with Underwood Associates in Decatur. He later became a partner at Joyce, Prout, and Watkins in Huntsville and concluded his career with Bailey Corley in Birmingham. Over the course of his life’s work, Steve designed numerous churches and schools, leaving a lasting mark on communities across Alabama. He was widely respected in his profession and served as President of the North Alabama Association of Architects.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Steve was devoted to his community. He was a member of the Jaycees and the Decatur Rotary Club and a dedicated supporter and traveling chaperone of the Decatur High School Forensics Team. A man of deep faith, he was a beloved member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Decatur. He loved trains and often could be found tinkering with his model train set in his spare time.

Steve is survived by his wife, Jean; two daughters, Laura Watkins Jordan (Adam) of Columbia, South Carolina, and Amanda Watkins Tedford (Stace) of Athens; and four grandchildren, Hunter Lee Tedford, Emaline Katherine Jordan, Annalee Caroline Jordan, and Caitlyn Grace Tedford. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Lee Watkins and Yvonne Crawford Watkins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 240 Grant Street SE in Decatur, with the assistance of Roselawn Funeral Home. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Pastor Nathan Eldridge will officiate. Burial will follow at Decatur City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Aubrey’s Love Foundation, www.aubreyslove.com, which supports schools through scholarships, supplies, and care packages. Steve’s wife Jean was an educator, as are his daughters Amanda and Laura.

Steve will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, as well as a man of integrity and faith. His family takes great comfort in knowing that his salvation in Jesus Christ is secure and that he is now at home with the Lord.