Bland-Reid Funeral Home | Farmville, VA

Obituary For Ruth Allen Watkins

Ruth Allen Watkins
April 05, 1926 - March 02, 2024

Ruth Pearl Allen Watkins (affectionately known as
“Bumpsey”) was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was born on April 5, 1926 in Prince Edward County, Virginia, to the late Frank Allen and Clara Wilson Allen. She was the eldest of six children born to this union. She is preceded in death by four siblings: Frank, Thomas and Herbert Allen, and Myrlin McAfee Harrington. She was baptized at Race Street Baptist Church in
Farmville, Virginia, at an early age. Ruth attended church frequently, and her faith in God sustained her throughout her life. Most recently, she attended Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico, Virginia. She also enjoyed online bible study and listening to old gospel hymns.

Ruth attended Robert R. Moton School in Prince Edward County for grade school. She graduated from Bluefield State College, Bluefield, West Virginia, and later earned a master’s degree from Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia. Ruth taught in Appomattox County and Prince Edward County Public Schools for many years. She was well-known for maintaining a strict classroom environment that promoted learning for all students.

Ruth was married to William Clarence Watkins, and from this union, four children were born: Lorenza, Delores, Louise, and Hope Watkins. Throughout her life, she advocated and cared for family members and friends. She was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever someone was in need. In addition to helping others, she also helped raise one great niece and two grandchildren from childhood to adulthood, Robin Allen, Tess Watkins-Short and Leon “Blake” Sutton.

Ruth was a member of the Farmville Chapter of Order of Eastern Star and the Farmville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she remained a faithful member until her illness. Ruth loved organizing her sorority's annual scholarship dance and Outstanding Youth Program. Her love for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was second to her love for her family.

Ruth taught adult GED in her community, participated in the National Night Out activities AARP, and was politically active in her community. During her spare time, she enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, sewing, gardening, picking vegetables from her brother Herbert’s Garden, and preserving food for the winter months. She loved traveling and visiting the mountains. She also enjoyed listening to songs from the 1950s and ’60s, especially “Personality” by Lloyd Price.

For the last few years, Ruth enjoyed creating her own
masterpieces while attending senior art class at Glen Allen Cultural Art Center on Saturday mornings. She attended the Circle Center Senior Daycare three days a week. The staff often commented on her quick wit, compassion, and kindness for others. She never missed a beat! Ruth had a very calm spirit. She seldom raised her voice but would offer an “eye” that spoke loudly for her. Her raised voice left no doubt that she meant real business. In her later years, Ruth refrained from saying “Goodbye” to loved ones and visitors but would bid you adieu with a soft - spoken, “See you later.” When she was tired of hearing your voice or felt that you weren’t being nice, she quietly said, “That’s enough.”

She was preceded in death by her son, Clarence Lorenza Watkins, and granddaughter, Jocelyn Renee Watkins.

Ruth leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Delores Scott and Louise Pace (Jim) of Chesterfield, Virginia; Hope Justice (Alvin) of Disputanta, Virginia; one daughter-in-law, Linda Watkins of Richmond, Virginia; five grandchildren, Porscha Watkins Faush (Tony) of Varina, Virginia, Tess Watkins-Short of Prince George, Virginia, Christopher Watkins (Candace) of Hopewell, Virginia; Leon “Blake” Sutton (Bri) of Farmville, Virginia and Joy Justice of Disputanta, Virginia; one dedicated great-niece, Robin Allen of Farmville, Virginia; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one brother, Albert Allen of Houston, Texas, one lifelong friend of 60+ years, Virginia Goode; one adopted son, Willie Miller; three devoted neighbors, Philip Goode, Rita Moseley and William Singleton; six dedicated caregivers, Huewydah Al-Fuquan Ali, Cassandra Catoe, Helen Crawford, Gwen Kirby, Jane Simmons, and Theresa Watson; and a host of relatives, neighbors, friends and former students.

Visitation: March 8, 2024

02:00 PM - 06:00 PM

Bland-Reid Funeral Home
413 Griffin Boulevard
Farmville, VA 23901

Funeral Service: March 9, 2024

01:00 PM

New Life Church
9 Mahan Rd
Farmville, VA 23901

Guest Book

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Bland-Reid Funeral Home | Farmville, VA