Joyce Kay Watkins

Mrs. Joyce Kay Watkins, of Dunn departed this life on Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Mrs. Joyce had lived a full life, filled with love and family; she was 73 years of age at the time of her passing. She was born in Harnett County on June 9th, 1945 a daughter and one half of a set of twin girls born unto the late Clarence Thomas West and Katherine Stewart West. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved grand-daughter Hunter Kay Watkins; her twin sister: Lois W. Jernigan; sisters: Carolyn Jean Jernigan and Betty Gray Strickland; and one brother: James Thomas West.

Joyce married the love of her life, Jerry Richard Watkins on February 29th, 1965 and they shared 54 wonderful years of marriage together. They fell in love during a time when things were much simpler and the love that you had for your spouse was enough to ensure that you didn't part till death. On January 12, 1975, one son Terry Richard Watkins was born unto this union. When Jerry was asked about how he met his Joyce, he said they met at a Shell Station in the 60's where he worked and she had visited with her twin sister. When he was asked what drew him to her and if it was her beauty; his voice cracked and his eyes filled with tears and he said "She was more than pretty. Oh, she was so much better than that." Joyce and her husband were always on the go, visiting family, taking trips or just spending a summer's eve on a family watermelon farm. It didn't matter where they were, together was enough.

Joyce lived in Dunn her whole life, she worked at the Blue-Bell Shirt Factory in Benson for 10 years and she also helped her daddy tend to the family tobacco farm, working without being asked and as hard as any man. Joyce loved her family, she was the roots that kept her family tree planted. She was always there to lend a helping hand to her family or anyone else who needed her. She was full of kindness, with very little regard for herself; you could expect to hear Mrs. Joyce ask you about your day or how you felt but she didn't mumble any complaints back as she had very few; she just loved life. She loved to tend to her garden, gathering vegetables and fruit to put away for the winter. She especially loved fresh strawberries. She was a top notch cook and known best for her famous Sweet Potato Pudding and Pig Pickin' Cake. She loved her tending her flowers and being outdoors; even at the age of 73 she could be found outside mowing her own lawn and weed-eating, she didn't ask for or accept any help, as she had always been a woman of great strength and will.

She was very close to her siblings, especially her twin sister Lois. They could always be found together, they would spend a whole day bargain shopping and thrifting. She loved it when she found expensive items for a deal at the thrift stores and often found items that still had the original price tag; when her day of bargain hunting was over, she loved to unbag her finds and show them off. Mrs. Joyce was a simple lady that loved the small things in life, she didn't want for a lot but was thankful for what she had. She was kind, gentle, humble, quiet and meek; she was sentimental, cherishing every memory and gift that she was given throughout the years; just as her family will cherish the gift that they were given in the time with Mrs. Joyce that they shared as they honor her memory in the years to come.

Left behind to honor her legacy are the following members of her family: Loving husband: Jerry Richard Watkins; A son and wonderful daughter-in-law: Terry and Kristie Watkins; a grandson: Charles Cameron Watkins; Brothers: Clayton West, Donald Ray West and Clarence Thomas West; and one sister: Virginia Pope.

You are cordially invited to a time of visitation with the family of Mrs. Joyce Kay Watkins on Friday, May, 10th, 2019 at the Cromartie-Miller from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM and at other times at 1309 Ammons Road in Dunn.

A funeral service to commemorate the life of Mrs. Joyce Kay Watkins will be conducted on May 10th, 2019 in the Chapel of the Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Phil Newton officiating. She will be laid to rest at Devotional Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

Online Condolences may be expressed at www.cromartiemiller.com. Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home is entrusted with all arrangements.