Ruby Nell Watkins was born December 30, 1931, in Cedar Creek, Oklahoma, to Oscar Lowe and Myrtle Sarena (Ratteree) Newby. She passed from this life into the loving arms of her Savior on November 28, 2018, in Oklahoma City with her family by her side. Nell was the youngest of seven children, with five older brothers and one older sister.
The family moved from the farm in Cedar Creek to Fanshawe, Oklahoma, when she was 10 years old. It was there in Fanshawe, that she went to school, played on the girl’s basketball team, and met and married her husband of 47 years, Harmon Watkins.
Nell had two great loves in her life to which she was very faithful; her Lord and Savior and her family. She was very active in her church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, organizing the Children’s Church and doing anything else that was needed.
Nell was also active in the lives of her family, whether it was her mother and father, brothers and sisters, or nieces and nephews. She loved them all and made sure they knew it. As for her immediate family, she couldn’t have been more dedicated. She and Harmon loved to deer hunt together, and spent many happy years working, laughing, traveling, and raising a family. They were truly the love of each other’s lives. She was always there with and for her children and grandchildren, loving them, standing behind them, supporting them in their interests, careers, marriages, and through the births and raising of their children.
Nell and Harmon sent both of their children through college, and after their graduations she made the decision to go back to school herself. 34 years after graduating from high school, she graduated Suma Cum Laude from Central State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology.
This paved the way for her work as a Disability Examiner for the Social Security Administration where she was presented many awards prior to her retirement. Nell held several previous jobs before going to work for the Social Security Administration; bookkeeper, waitress, accounts receivable clerk, and dental assistant. But the one she always said she enjoyed more than any other was being a waitress. She loved people and made friends wherever she went and was happiest when she could do something to brighten someone’s day.
Nell enjoyed spending her time with her family, playing with her grandchildren and her great grandchildren, and attending her children’s sporting and social events over the years. She also enjoyed reading, watching OU football and Thunder basketball, attending OU women’s basketball games, working puzzles, and playing dominoes with a group of friends on Fridays. She had a green thumb, could grow anything, and enjoyed working in her garden and with her plants. Friends and family would even take dying plants to her to revive and she would take them back the picture of health.
Nell was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Myrtle Newby, husband Harmon Watkins, 5 brothers, and one sister. Nell is survived by her daughter, LaNell and husband Jack White; son, Scott and wife Marilyn Watkins; grandson, Jason and wife Lori Watkins; grandson, Dusty and wife Lauren White; grandson, Paul and wife Abbey Watkins; grandson, Joshua White; great-granddaughter, Baylea White; twin great-grandsons, Gus and Pate Watkins; and numerous nephews, nieces, other family members and friends.
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife. She is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 31:10
A celebration of the life of Ruby Nell Watkins will be held Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at Midwest City Community Church of the Nazarene, 10200 SE 15th St., Midwest City, OK 73130. Interment will follow directly at Arlington Memory Gardens, Midwest City, OK. A dinner for the family and friends will then be held in the fellowship hall of the church.
