Charlotte Palmer Watkins

Charlotte Palmer Watkins, affectionately known as “Lottie”, went to be with her Lord on September 22, 2017. Charlotte was the daughter of Thomas Myers Palmer M.D. and Theresa Yeager Palmer. Both her parents were of Tallahassee founding families with their homesteads on the current location of City Hall and the Museum of Florida History, respectively. Charlotte and her sister, Susan Palmer Davis, and brother, Lewis Charles Palmer, were raised in Jacksonville, Florida but spent summers with their grandparents in Tallahassee. Charlotte graduated in 1954 from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics specializing in early education and was a member of the Iota Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority where she developed many lasting friends with her sisters. She was married to Steve Moore Watkins, Jr. until he passed away after 44 years of devoted marriage having met Steve at George and Marion Langford’s wedding, both of whom were lifelong friends of Charlotte and Steve. She was also a member of National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Florida, The Order of the Daughters of the King, an Episcopal organization, Tallahassee Junior League where she served a term as president. She was also a charter member of the Church of the Advent Episcopal Church, served as a member of the Church Vestry, alter guild, and flower guild dedicating her time and talents to the St. Clements Chapel.

Charlotte was an angel on earth living her life in service to others, especially those less fortunate. She faithfully and humbly served the homeless at Grace Mission and delivered Meals on Wheels weekly to the elderly and homebound. She was the first to come and last to leave at the homes of friends who had lost loved ones, forever quietly serving from the kitchen. She could also be found arranging flowers for friends weddings and for Sunday services at Advent’s chapel. She was in constant motion, never home but visiting her friends in assisted living. She was strong in her faith showing a loving kindness to all.

Charlotte had a love for flowers and birds and was a proud member of the Apalachee Audubon Society, birdsong Nature Center, Florida Wildflower Foundation, and the Florida Daffodil Society. She has an affinity for native landscapes and used native plants in her yard to create a sanctuary for birds and butterflies at her home where she lived for over 60 years. Charlotte spread her love throughout her family and her community through service to others and when home could generally be found working tirelessly in her yard. Charlotte was a consummate hostess widely known for her waffles and serving all comers in her kitchen, a gathering place for neighborhood kids. She also loved her social activities, garden clubs, and supporting the arts at Florida State University.

Charlotte is survived by her brother and sister and her children: Theresa Watkins Linscott (husband Jerry), grandchild, J. Palmer Linscott; Steve Moore Watkins, III (partner Karen Brown), grandchildren: India Moore Watkins and Emerson Miles Watkins and their mother: Sharon Minnich Watkins; J. Ben Watkins, III (wife Joy), grandchildren: Callie Watkins Jarrett, and Mary Watkins Bennet, all of whom she loved with all her heart.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Church of the Advent or Grace Mission c/o Church of the Advent.