Esther Watkins

Esther Watkins, 98, of Jonesboro, died Thursday, April 28, 2011, at Skill Nursing Center in Jonesboro. She had lived in Jonesboro for 3 ½ years, moving here from Grubbs and was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church at Bellew’s Chapel. She worked in the WAC Ladies Auxiliary, and was a Sunday School Teacher. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Ray Watkins; one son, Eugene Watkins; her parents, John and Margaret Butts; three sisters and two brothers.

Survivors are her daughter, Wilma Prince of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Ray Prince, Randall Prince, Kim Watkins and Arletta Anderson; great grandchildren, Brianne Fowlkes, Danae Sandusky, Ryan Prince and Cade Prince; and three great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Ballew’s Chapel near Grubbs with Reverend Hoover Lewis officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge. Burial will be at Ballew’s Chapel Cemetery with J. H. Allen, Elvis Crotts, Bill Flemon, Cade Prince, Ryan Prince and Kim Watkins serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Eugene Kinard, H.L. Montgomery and Cleamon Odglen. Visitation will be from 5-7 Friday night at Emerson Funeral Home.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family requests you please consider Ballew’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, Grubbs, Arkansas 72431.