Obituary of Marie Ward Watkins

Marie Ward Whitt Watkins was born on July 18, 1939, in Montgomery, Alabama to Robert and Alice Whitt. She had three siblings: Robert Whitt, Jr. (Norma), Barbara Whitt Ridgeway (Ferrell) and Paul Whitt Sr. (Dorothy). While still a child, her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. She was educated in the Cleveland Public School System and graduated from Glenville High School. Then she attended Bluefield State College. She was Baptized by Rev. Dr. Albert Rowan at Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio in July 1992. She later became a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, where she worked on what the Lord called on her to do. She was active in the Viola M. Harris Missionary Society. She was also an active member of Moms of Many (M.O.M), an organization in pursuit of granting scholarships to graduating High School Seniors and continuing students in college. She met her husband, Frederick Watkins Sr., while attending Junior High School. They moved to Pasadena, California and were married. He joined the United States Air Force and they, along with their four children: Belinda Watkins, Bridget Watkins, Frederick Watkins, Jr. and Barbara Watkins Berry (Ruben), lived in many locations throughout - the United States. Marie worked as a Baker for King Soopers for over twenty years, retiring in 2002. She had the best recipes in the kitchen. She once won a Chili Cook-off contest in Aurora, Colorado for ‘Best’ Cornbread, out of over 100 entrants. No one could ever get her recipes right, no matter how hard we tried. Her secret ingredient was Love. She was very generous and loved her children and grandchildren: Zachary Watkins and Marjon Berry. She lovingly obsessed over our daily schedules and well-being, and took such immense pride in our accomplishments, large, small and imagined. She loved to laugh and found joy in her life. In her retirement, she liked to travel, volunteer, small stakes gambling, yard work and reading novels. She liked to watch movies in the evenings and enjoyed an occasional glass of wine while catching up with others on current events. The absence of her love and laughter will leave a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.