Mary M.E. Elizabeth Watkins McLaurin

Mary Elizabeth Watkins McLaurin, 74, affectionately known as “M. E.” by her friends and family, passed away peacefully on August 31st, 2013. M.E. was born on March 16th, 1939 in Jackson, Mississippi. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Henry Watkins and Norma Latimer Watkins. She was the granddaughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. William Hamilton Watkins of Jackson and the late Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Colquhoun Latimer of Allison Wells near Canton, MS.

She attended Jackson Public Schools, graduating in 1957 from Murrah High School. She attended Hollins College in Roanoke, VA; the University of Mississippi/ and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. She held a double degree in English and Spanish and taught at Classen High School in Oklahoma City. She was a member of the Debutant Club, Chi Omega Sorority, The Girls’ Cotillion Club, and Sigma Delta Pi, the honorary Spanish fraternity.

For a number of years M. E. was a personnel supervisor for South Central Bell, first in New Orleans and later in Jackson. Her employment with South Central Bell gave her the experience that she would need to benefit countless non-profit organizations. It was there that M. E. developed her telephone manner which was her well known “2 and ½ minute maximum”. It was written that M. E. was known to others in the community as a “Distinguished Dame” and was “Ninety-five pounds of sheer dynamite, possessor of phenomenal wit, inheritor of the Watkins mind”. According to her dear longtime friend Alabel Wiser, some have referred to M. E. as “The General”. Anyone who worked with M. E. can attest to her efficiency, her drive and determination. M. E. held numerous key positions in Junior League of Jackson, the Old Capitol Guides and was very active in the Chi Omega Jackson Alumnae Chapter. M. E. was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Sydney Watkins Hemphill and son Douglass Latimer McLaurin. M. E. is survived by son William Thaddeus McLaurin, III and wife Mary McLaurin of Ridgeland; son Thomas Watkins McLaurin of Denver, Colorado; and sister Norma Watkins of Ft. Bragg, California; grandchildren Grant and Chris Carraway of Ridgeland; Conner Douglass and Thomas Watkins McLaurin, II of Denver, Colorado, and numerous nieces and nephews. She treasured her longtime faithful friends Mary and Chico Taylor; Alabel Wiser; Gail and Art Doty; and Billie and Al Green.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral followed by services at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral.