Barbara Elaine Watkins

Funeral Service for Barbara Elaine Watkins, 68, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Welsh with the Reverend Charlie Crews officiating. Visitation will be 4-9 p.m. Friday at Hixson Funeral Home in Welsh and Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the church. A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.Barbara Watkins was born April 23, 1941 in Lake Charles. She died peacefully at St. Patrick’s Hospital surrounded by her family on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. She was an adored wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend to many.Barbara, “Barb” as she was called, was loved by so many. She worked for many years as a server at Coushatta Casino Resort. She was a past editor for the Welsh Citizen and worked at the Jennings Daily News. Before moving to Welsh in 1974, she worked for Langwith, Wilson, King and Associates in Houston, TX. Barb will be remembered most for her great love of family.She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine Pugh Watkins, father, Charlie Marshall Watkins, and grandson, Reed Marshall Vanicor. She is survived by 4 children, Troy Romero and his wife, Mandy, Peyton Romero, Tracy Watkins, Laura Timpke Hixon and her husband Greg. Her grandchildren, Amanda, Lindsey, Sydnie and Rylie Romero, Sammy, Kelli, and Lana Watkins, Hunter and Gage Hixon; her brothers and sisters, Sammy Watkins, Suzanne Stringer and husband, Larry, Lane Watkins and wife, Rhonda, Carson Watkins and wife, Marilyn, Bonnie Compton and husband Mike as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.Pallbearers will be her nephews, Wade Watkins, Paul Cline, Kennon Watkins, Chuck Watkins, Preston Compton, Garrett Compton, and Stuart Watkins.Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Welsh for dedication to the Watkins Memorial fund or to the Shriners hospital in the name of Barbara Watkins. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com