Betty Hughes Watkins

Betty Hughes Watkins, 70, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, died Friday, October 19, 2012, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center.

She was born in Jonesboro on March 31, 1942, to the late Lila and Monroe Hughes of Nettleton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex Watkins, who died in 2005.

Betty graduated from Nettleton High School in 1960. When her children were both small she and her husband moved to Florida where she helped to run their family business, Schumann Casters & Equipment Co. on historic Beaver Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Betty loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren, to whom she was “Mana.”

Betty knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior from an early age. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida.

Survivors include one brother, Bob Hughes of Nesbit, MS and one sister, Sue Hughes Hopkins and husband Ken of Hattiesburg, MS, a son Tony Watkins and a daughter, Christy Watkins, and her granddaughters, Jordan, Hanna and Jenna Watkins, all of Jacksonville, Florida . Other family include her brother-in-law Gary Watkins and wife Dana and sister-in-law Pat Watkins, all of Jonesboro, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation will be Monday, October 22 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, at Emerson Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Tuesday, October 23 at 2:00 PM at Emerson Funeral Home, with Ken Hopkins officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers include Warren Walker, Jason Watkins, Eddie Miller, Logan Miller, Paul Spurlock, and Larry Ransone.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Missions Ministry, 124 W. Ashley St., Jacksonville, FL 32202.