A celebration of her life will begin at 12:30pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl with visitation one hour prior to the service beginning at 11:30am. Burial will take place at Lakewood Memorial Park on Clinton Boulevard.
She was born on October 23, 1933 in Lancaster, PA to the late Charles L. and Anna May Boyer VanAulen.
It was in Lancaster she met the love of her life, Bill Watkins, of Meridian, MS, while he was working on a pipeline. They married and moved to Jackson, MS in 1949 where they raised five children.
Jean was preceded in death by husband, William H. "Bill" Watkins; son, Van Watkins; parents, Charles and Anna May VanAulen; stepmother, Carrie VanAulen; sisters, Ruth, Anna May, and Mary Jane; and brothers, Charlie and Paul.
Jean is survived by her children, Beth Reeves (Larry) of Florence, Jeanne Watkins of Brandon, Sharon Nicholson (Buford) of Brandon and Charles "Sam" Watkins of St Petersburg, FL; and grandchildren, Lauri Parker (Freddie), Denise Reeves, Earl Jordan, Olivia Watkins (Lacey), and Jimmy Williams (Sandra) of Whiteville, NC.
Many did not know her childhood was difficult, but she never allowed this to harden her heart towards life. She always kept a positive attitude and was kind to all. She always gave second chances to people and some people even got multiple chances. She had a great sense of humor and always had a smile for everyone. She was the true definition of a Mother and is what held the family together after the early loss of husband, Bill and first-born son, Van. We miss her tremendously but know that she is at last reunited with them.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baldwinleepearl.com for the Watkins family.
