Patricia Jean "Pat" Watkins

Pat Watkins passed away peacefully and into the arms of the Lord on March 25, 2017 at the age of 86. Patricia Jean Cargile was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Luther & Lucille Cargile on July 23, 1930, her father's birthday. She graduated early from high school, at age 16, in Rogers, and attended college at Arkansas Tech, graduating in the spring of 1949. A few weeks later, on June 19, 1949, Pat was married to Paul Bryan Watkins, also of Rogers. The next year the couple welcomed Richard Marion Watkins (Rick), the first of two sons, on May 31, 1950. Barely three months after the birth of their first child, in September 1950, Paul mobilized for the Korean War with the 936th Field Artillery Group. After Paul returned form Korea the couple was joined by their second son, John Ruston Watkins (Rus), on March 18, 1954, and Pat began her teaching career soon thereafter. She received her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Arkansas in January of 1964, and her masters' degree in education in December of 1966, also from the University of Arkansas. Pat loved to tell stories of her family's life in Rogers, remembering late-into-the-night competitive card games and family outings, her sons' sports activities, golf, hunting, skeet shooting, and water skiing on Table Rock Lake. Her close-knit extended family and friends from their high school and college years always remained dear to her heart. In 1966 the family relocated to Lufkin, where Pat continued her teaching career, and threw herself enthusiastically into the task of becoming a part of the community, making new friends and building relationships in a new home. The family activities, the boys' sports, golf, quail hunting, skeet shooting and card games continued for the four decades Pat lived in Lufkin. Pat was also a master bridge player, and her skills at bridge, as well as scrabble, were legendary. She played socially for over 50 years, but she also played tournament bridge for many years, and she and Paul often traveled to tournaments. In the late 70's, she bid farewell to the teaching profession she so loved and began a successful career in real estate. She was also a leader of her investment club and delighted in her ability to consistently outperfom her fellow members. She enjoyed an active church life and was a devoted member of Bible Study Fellowship for over 20 years, both in Lufkin and in Houston. After losing Paul to cancer, she retired and moved to Houston in 2005 to be nearer her sons' families and her granddaughters, Olivia Lucille Watkins, Garland Marie Watkins, and Marion Elizabeth Watkins. She loved all things about the University of Arkansas, and any sport being contested by her Razorbacks enjoyed her fierce support. No one ever called her beloved Hogs more enthusiastically, unabashedly, proudly, or loudly than she did – in any setting. She was particularly thrilled about the family outing to the 2014 Texas Bowl, which was attended by her entire family, where her Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Texas Longhorns one last time, 31 to 7. Her granddaughters were always amazed by Pat's amazing Hog calling ability! Though her final years were diminished by pain and various illnesses, she continued to maintain her warm smile, her kindness to others, and her caring for others, until her passing. Pat was a warm, beautiful, accomplished, and caring, wife, mother and grandmother, a lovely and loving woman who enjoyed a life full of family and personal successes and growth, and who cared for nothing so much as the company of her family and their affection. She is already missed greatly by those still here, but she is being welcomed joyfully with a heavenly celebration by all those whom she loved and missed so much. She is survived by her two sons Rick and his wife, Sherron Smith Watkins, and their daughter Marion, and by Rus Watkins and his daughters Olivia and Garland, and by many relatives and friends who will always speak admiringly of her skill at playing the game. The family received visitors on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 4-8 p.m. at Klein Funeral Home, 1400 W. Main Street, Tomball, Texas. A Visitation/Celebration of Pat's Life will take place Sunday, April 2 from 4-7 p.m. in the Chapel of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. The Graveside Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 3 in Benton County Memorial Park. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association, 5506 Walsh Lane, Suite 212, Rogers, Arkansas 72756 or alz.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.kleinfh.com and www.RollinsFuneral.com