Jack P. Watkins' Obituary
Funeral services for Jack P. Watkins, 71, of New Salem, will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, September 10, 2007, at the Rader Funeral Chapel in Henderson with the Revs. James Forrest, Olen Rivers, and Mike Fink officiating. Burial , with masonic graveside services, will be in New Salem Cemetery.
Mr. Watkins died Friday, September 7, 2007, in a Tyler hospital.
He was born in New Salem on July 6, 1936 to Julian and Leotha Watkins and was a lifelong resident of New Salem. He was retired from Texas Eastman and was a member of the New Salem Baptist Church. He was a member of the New Salem Masonic Lodge # 87, and in 2006 he received the Golden Trowel award for community service from the Masonic lodge.
Mr. Watkins was well loved and respected by all.
Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Judy Watkins of New Salem; one daughter, Julianna Brightwell and husband Charles of Henderson; two sons, Jerry Watkins and wife Debbie of Longview, and Joel Watkins and wife Denise of New Salem; two sisters, Carolyn Tully of New Salem and Mary Barton of Bossier City, LA; eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren; and his mother-in-law, Grace Cassity of Carthage; several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Jack Hodges, Mark Hicks, Keith Sunday, Dana Bush, George Barrack, Jack Wilkerson, and Bruce Grams. Honorary pallbearers will be Bo Linthicum and Buddy Hodges.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 9, 2007 from 2 to 5 PM at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the New Salem Cemetery, c/o Carolyn Tully, 19000 FM 839 South, Reklaw, Texas 75784.
What’s your fondest memory of Jack?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jack?
Share a story where Jack's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jack you’ll never forget.
How did Jack make you smile?

