Dorothy Mae Watkins' Obituary
Dorothy Mae Watkins, 90, of Chattanooga, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025, in a local hospital after battling several illnesses. Dorothy, together with her husband, William Richard Watkins, Sr., established Grace Fellowship Baptist Church, which she attended with steadfast commitment until the deterioration of her health.
Dorothy received her education within the Lauderdale County school system located in Rogersville, Alabama. She was employed at Erlanger Health Care System for 25 years in Environmental Services and was an active member of the Widow’s Harvest Ministry along with demonstrating her dedication to community services.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Richard Watkins, Sr.; her daughter, Edna Earl Baker; her son, Jommie Watkins; and her granddaughter, Stacey Barrow; her grandfather, Jesse King (Rogersville, AL); her mother, Margaret King Fuqua (Rogersville, AL); and her father, Sims Fuqua, Sr. (Rogersville, AL). Additionally, she was preceded by her sisters, Mary Ellen Fuqua, Alice Fuqua Nance, and Margaret Mangrum, as well as her brothers, Deloris Fuqua, Sims Fuqua, Jr., Robert Fuqua, Elisa Fuqua, and Herman Fuqua, Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memories her devoted son and caregiver, Michael DeWayne Watkins, and his brothers, Anthony “Tony” Watkins and William Richard Watkins, Jr., all of Chattanooga; her daughters include Dorothy (Alfred) Johnson, Linda Patton, Maxine Barnes, Tanika Barrow, and Juanita Barrow, all of Chattanooga. She also helped raise two grandchildren, Nikela Henderson and Curtis Brandon Barnes, both of Chattanooga. Among her siblings are sisters, Marvelene Fuqua and Millie Ann Murphy, both of Buffalo, NY; and brothers, James (Ellen) Fuqua, Hudson (Dorothy) Fuqua, Wayne Fuqua, all of Rogersville, AL, and Granderson (Monica) Fuqua of Buffalo, NY. Additionally, she is survived by her brothers-in-law, Edward Watkins and Hayward Watkins, both of Chattanooga, Ben Thomas Watkins, of Rogersville, Benford (Mona) Watkins, of Ohio; 28 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Special recognition goes to her three nieces, Jessie Fuqua, of Rogersville, Patricia Fuqua Cole, of Florence, AL, and Sandy Mangrum, of Madison, AL; her dear friends, Betty Morgan, Katie Smith, and Gwendolyn Norman also held a special place in her heart, as did the members of The Church of The Firstborn.
Dorothy will lie-in-state on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 12:30-5:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 12:00 noon (CST) at Little Zion Baptist Church, 955 County Road 610, Rogersville, Alabama 35652 with Pastor Alfred Johnson, Sr. as the Eulogist. Burial in Little Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. Per the family’s request, please send flowers directly to the church instead of the funeral home.
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