Helen Watkins
Helen Watkins, 92, rural South Whitley, died at 7:55 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Peabody Home, North Manchester where she had been a resident since May 2016.
She was born Aug. 8, 1924 in Breathitt County, Ky. a daughter of Bennie and Martha (Noble) Clemons. Her formative years were spent in Breathitt and Perry Counties.
On Jan. 29, 1957 she was united in marriage to Samuel I. Watkins. They made their home in Perry County until January 1966 when they moved to their home in Richland Township, Whitley County. Mr. Watkins died Nov. 30, 2010.
Helen worked at Whitley Products in Pierceton for 12 years.
She was a member of Free United Baptist Church.
Surviving relatives include ten children: Mack Allen (Shirley) Pratt of Pierceton; Barbara J. Baker of South Whitley; Kenneth Ray Pratt of South Whitley; Glen (Mary) Watkins of Pennsylvania; Benjamin James (Sandra) Pratt of Austin; Lida Kay (Richard) Rebman of Larwill; George Ballard (Julie) Watkins of Kendallville; Samuel David Watkins of Columbia City; Robert G. (Lisa) Watkins of South Whitley; and Gilbert D. Watkins of South Whitley; 32 grandchildren; 60 great grandchildren; 16 great great grandchildren; a brother and a sister, Arnold Clemons and Golden McGee, both of Middletown, Ohio.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Josephine Brooks; a grandson; two brothers, Henry Clemons and Eugene Clemons; and two sisters, Eva Stidham and Ora Bishop.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 27 at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. The burial will be in Booneville Cemetery, Larwill. The visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Free United Baptist Church.