Juanita Watkins

Juanita E. Watkins went to her heavenly home on November 9, 2015. Mrs. Watkins was born December 23, 1918 in Shaw, MS, to the late Joseph Lee and Mary Belle Frazier. Mrs. Watkins graduated from Indianola High School and attended Sunflower Jr. College studying pre-law. At the onset of WWII, Juanita was employed at the Greenwood Naval Base as an executive secretary to the head commandant. She moved to Memphis and opened her own employment agency where she met and married attorney and former State Representative, Robert G. Watkins, Jr. They were married over 21 years. She was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and the Northeast Optimist Club and was the first female member to join this organization. Juanita and her husband, Bob, were extremely active in their community. They joined with many of the Northeast Community residents to found Gaisman Community Center Boosters Club around 1966. She also served as PTA President on several boards for Kingsbury Elementary and was devoted to the education and well-being of all children. Juanita Watkins was an elected official of the Memphis City School Board from 1972 to 1992 for District One. She retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company in the early 1980's. She was a devoted member of St. Stephens United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G. Watkins, Jr., her brother, Joseph Lester Frazier, and other siblings. She leaves her four children, Roxanne Watkins Hall (Charles), Suzanne W. Carlisle (David), Frazier Watkins (Stephanie) and William W. Watkins (Jennifer), six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Juanita's influence on people's lives was profoundly positive. She was a devoted Christian. The love of Christ was her road less travelled. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by many. Mom we love you and will miss you so much. Visitation will be Friday, November 13, 4-8 p.m. at Family Funeral Care, located at 4925 Summer Avenue. Funeral services will be held at St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 3981 Macon Road, Memphis, TN 38122 at 10 a.m., with graveside services in Memphis Memorial Park on Poplar Avenue. Reverend Kim Kudlow will be the officiate for the service.