Peggy Jean Watkins

Peggy Jean Watkins, age 89, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Monday, May 27, 2019.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard T. Watkins, father, Walter W. Winnings, and mother, Dora Ellen Winnings. She is survived by son, Robert L. Watkins, son, Thomas L. Watkins, daughter, Deborah J. Farrell, brother, Kenneth Richard Watkins, 13 Grandchildren and 3 Great-Grandchildren.

Mama was raised in a small railroad town in West Virginia, called Sol Valley Town. She had one younger adopted sister Lora, who passed away in October of 1989. She is survived by her three boys; Robert Lynn, Thomas Lee, and Kenneth Richard and one daughter Deborah Jean. Her loving husband, Richard Thomas of 64 years, passed away in 2013.

It is a great privilege, as Mama's eldest son, to write this eulogy to express the sadness that all of us share over her loss.

Both Mama and Daddy shared a love of travel, and would often explore different parts of the country investigating little towns and farms off the beaten track. City slickers, they were not. And they were proud of that fact too.

The last vacation they took together, was the beloved trip to Alaska, a place they both dearly cherished. Although they were both struggling with ill health by then, they put on a brave face and enjoyed two months of uninterrupted happiness in cold and damp weather.

Mama was a very skilled musician. Her favorite music was "Christian in nature " and when she was younger, she would play hundreds of songs on her piano and auto harp. One of Daddy's favorite memories was of Mama in a yellow dress standing in front of her piano at age 17. She also accompanied her son Kenneth's high school and college bands at state competitions.

Mama always had a serious personality, one who literally fired up a room whenever she entered. Mama seemed preoccupied with sadness; however, she was always passionate to help out others, no matter what the problem was. This refocused her and gave her great joy helping anyone in need.
Without any doubt, I know for a fact that our Mama loved Jesus dearly and enjoyed telling others about HER personal Friend.

My lasting memories of Mama are simple: a hard-working, obsessive figure of strength, who never diminished in her influence or devotion as the matriarch of her family. She constantly soldiered on, even when times were serene. The week before she departed she affectionately imparted her sincere love to her children.

Good-by Mama. You will be dearly missed by all your children…..

Love Robert Lynn, your bald headed baby boy.

Visitation is Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am with funeral service staring at 10:00 am at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (East Orlando Chapel).

Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, FL.

To share your memories of Peggy or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.