Eva Smith Watkins

Eva Euline Smith Watkins, 91, passed away July 28, 2008.
A native of Arley, Winston County, Ala., she was a daughter of the late Lela Evans and James Jackson (Jim) Smith and was the widow of her husband of 56 years, Clark Monroe Watkins. She was one of nine children and was preceded in death by two brothers, Truman Smith and Durell Smith, and one sister, Betty Smith Ledbetter.
Mrs. Watkins was a wonderful homemaker and a great cook, who specialized in cakes and pies. She was a lifelong Democrat and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Athens for 50 years. She loved her garden and grew the best tomatoes and lima beans, and her azaleas were a spectacle in the spring.
Funeral services will be Friday, August 1, 2008 at 11 AM at the Chapel of First United Methodist Church with a gathering in the John Wesley Room one hour prior to service time. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park.
Mrs. Watkins was a proud mother of three daughters, Janet Watkins Patterson and husband, Alex, of Athens, Ga., Marilyn Watkins Burge and husband, Dave, of Waipahu, Hawaii, Sheila Watkins Burdick and husband, Lenny, of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Other survivors include her grandchildren, Philip Patterson, Kathryn Patterson, Emily Patterson, Scott Burge, Clark Burge, Jason Burge, Michael Burdick and Stephen Burdick; great-grandchildren, Madeline Burge, Jack Burge, Olivia Burge and Noah Burge; and many well loved nieces and nephews.
Additional survivors include two brothers, George Smith and Milburn "Ray" Smith and three sisters, Stella Smith Fritter, Edyth Smith Plunkett and Pauline Smith Parris.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 until 8 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Athens.
Lord and Stephens, WEST, is in charge of arrangements.