Lena Watkins

Obituary For Lena Watkins

Lena Mae Watkins was born March 7, 1937, to Bessie Lee Thomas and William Jackson in Coldwater, Mississippi.

Lena accepted Christ at an early age at Edwards Chapel A.M.E. Church in Coldwater, Mississippi. She was a faithful member and served on the Usher Board at New Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, under the leadership of the late Elder Melvin Rodgers. She later joined Free Spirit Baptist Church, where she served on the Mother Board under the leadership of Pastor Walter L. Blair. She restored her membership at New Bethel Full Gospel Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Brian Bartlett, Jr.

She attended school in the Tate County School District. She later moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she met and married the late Thomas James Watkins. Lena was employed by the Peabody Hotel, where she retired. After retirement, she was employed by Memphis City Schools.

Lena departed this life on December 31,2023

Lena was a loving and caring person. She enjoyed being with and taking care of family and friends. She loved to cook, her specialties were macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie, and banana pudding. She loved fashion, especially her many hats.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Jackson, her mother, Bessie L. Thomas; two daughters: Dorothy Ann Jackson and Linda Faye Robertson; two sons-in law: Charles Robertson and James Jordan; four sisters: Bessie Jackson- Manning, Ruby Jackson, Mildred Jackson, and Pearlie Jackson; and one grandson Cory Robertson.

She leaves to cherish her memories, four loving and devoted daughters: Sylvia J. Jordan, Tammy D. Spencer (Melvin), Lesia D. Whitmore (Arthur), and Keosha Roscoe Watkins, one loving and devoted son David L. Jackson (Barbara); 15 grandchildren: Ben Johnson, James Sanders, David D. Jackson, Micheal Jackson, Corry Jackson, Charles Robertson, Jr. Lataurus Jordan, Tamiko Sutton, Dorothy Jackson, Darren Williams, Dion Williams, Cortney Robertson, Melvin Spencer, Jr., James Smith, Jr., and Bianca Spencer-Jones; 41 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 9:00am-9:55am with a Celebration of Life to follow at 10:00 am both will be held at St. Paul 2124 E Holmes Rd, Memphis, TN 38116.

Internment will be in Calvary Cemetery 1663 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106