What do you get when you mix a brilliant sunset from Battles Wharf, bay water, grit, zinnias, and a passion for serving? That would be Paula Macpherson Watkins.
Paula Macpherson Watkins was born under an azalea bush in Mobile, AL on November 3, 1941. She was the third of four children born to John Ritchie Macpherson and Marian Acker Macpherson. Paula grew up in her family home at the foot of Government Street and their summer home at Battles Wharf on Mobile Bay. With her siblings and numerous friends, they explored, sailed, swam, crabbed, and fished throughout the summers on Mobile Bay.
After graduating from Murphy High School in 1960, she packed her bag to go to Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After graduation in 1964, she met and later married Horace C. Watkins III M.D. (fondly known as Bubba). They were inseparable.
The happy couple had two children (James F. Watkins, Paul A.M. Watkins) before Bubba set up his medical practice in Laurel, Mississippi. Shortly after moving to Laurel, they had their third son (Christopher C. Watkins). Laurel was their primary residence for over thirty five years until they retired to Battles Wharf.
Paula was an incredible mother and her boys were her life. She spent countless hours in her station-wagon shuttling them to school, sports practices, friend’s houses, and, most importantly, back and forth to Mobile Bay for summers. While at the Bay she was always at the helm of her infamous red boat pulling skiers, tubing, or pulling a shrimp trawl. Half the kids on the Eastern Shore of a certain generation learned to water ski under her expert tutelage. She loved to entertain and would always have friends and family at the house or on the wharf. She never seemed to get tired.
During her time in Laurel and at Battles Wharf Paula was a tremendous community servant. One of her passions was drug prevention and education. Through Parents for Drug-Free Youth she spent countless hours organizing and teaching different drug awareness and educational programs within the Laurel City Schools, Jones County School District, Heidelberg Academy, and other public and private schools in and around South Mississippi and Alabama. She was honored with several awards and accolades for her efforts in these important programs. In addition, she was a founding member of the Laurel Soccer Association, active in Laurel Junior Auxiliary (Humanitarian Award 1991), United Way, and a faithful member and servant of St. John’s Episcopal Church. The positive impact she had on the youth of Laurel, MS is immeasurable.
Paula loved everything about Mardi Gras and its traditions. She was an active member of several mystic societies and a member of the Board of Governors of the Mobile Carnival Museum where she served as a devoted docent for many years.
Paula is preceded in death by her husband, soulmate, and best friend, Horace C. Watkins III, her parents John Ritchie and Marian Acker Macpherson, her sisters Anne Macpherson Prince (Battles Wharf, AL) and Marian Macpherson Currie (Battles Wharf, AL).
She is loved and survived by her three sons; James F. Watkins (Lissa), Paul A.M. Watkins (Kathryn), Christopher C. Watkins (Sarah), her brother, Ian Macpherson (Ella), six grandchildren: Austin, Will, Kate, Francis, Macpherson, and Mary Mac, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Paula reveled in watching her grandchildren’s activities and hearing about both their struggles and successes in life. Most importantly, she loved her riding lawn mower. Great memories of her will live on for years and be cherished. She will be greatly missed by all who had the blessing of knowing her.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the caregivers that loved and cared for her over the past two years. Their service allowed her to stay in her home until she met her Lord and Savior, which is what she wanted.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, AL on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM. The family will receive visitors following at the Mobile Carnival Museum.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to The Christ Church Cathedral Foundation, 115 South Conception Street, Mobile, AL 36602, The Mobile Carnival Museum, 355 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602, or the charity of your choice in Laurel, MS.
