Mrs. Annie Mae Watkins

Mrs. Annie Mae Watkins, a life long resident of Algoma, West Virginia, peacefully departed this life on Friday, October 18, 2024 in Welch Community Hospital.  She was born on the 2nd day of October, 1921 in O'Toole, West Virginia, and the ninth child of ten born to Lem and Carrie (Mayo) Dickerson.

Mrs. Watkins was a 1941 graduate of Kimball High School and became a hairdresser.  She was a life long member of Little Rock Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in Algoma.  She had faithfully served for many, many years as the financial secretary of the Missionary Department, the Women's Council, and was President of the Usher board.  She was over the Nursing Department, Kitchen Committee and was the President of the Miscellaneous Department.  Also, a member of the ABYPU Department, the Board of Mothers and a member of both the Rockettes Singing Group and WV State Missionary Choir.  She was a lifetime Honored Mother of the Board of Apostles of the  Apostolic Inc., "COOLJC."  Serving the Lord and worshiping in the beauty of holiness was always her heart's desire. 

To her children, she was known as "the best Mother and Grandmother."  For her meek, humble spirit and soft spokenness endeared her to each of them.  Her favorite pastimes were spent watching game shows and westerns on television and working fill in puzzles.  Mrs. Watkins was the last surviving member of her original family, as she was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Andrew "Pluck" Watkins; one son, Lewis Avery Sr., and her nine siblings.  She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her devoted children:  Alphonso D. and his wife, Hattie Avery, her caregivers of Keystone, West Virginia, Portia M. Watkins and Antonio E. "Tony" Watkins, her caregivers, both of the home; Andrea "Gail" and Kendall Fells of Columbus, Ohio, Johnathan "Stephon" Watkins Sr., and his companion, Denise Wiseman of Columbus, Ohio and a foster son, George Tate of Columbus, Ohio; her six grandsons:  Lucas Watkins, Andrew Watkins, Johnathan (She') Watkins Jr., Markus (Mychael) Watkins, Adrian Watkins and Lewis Avery Jr., two granddaughters, Antoinette Watkins and Stefanie (Terry) Watkins-Graves; several great-grandchildren; her nephews, nieces and Church family. 

A Homegoing Celebration Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Little Rock Church of Christ, 85 Fortune Street in Algoma, West Virginia, with Elder Joseph Saunders eulogist, Elder Kenneth Brown Sr.,  presiding, Minister Kendall Fells, Reverend Tim Hairston and Reverend Robert E. Rogers assisting.  Entombment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 6605 New Hope Road in Bluewell, West Virginia.  Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, until time of Service at the Church.  Services entrusted to Gregory- Page Funeral Home in Welch, West Virginia.