Clara Watkins

Mrs. Clara Stone Watkins, 90, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother died October 1, 2009 in Stone Mountain, GA.

Born and reared in Seneca, SC, she was the daughter of the late Horace Pickens Stone and Martha Julian Stone. After finishing Seneca HS she worked in the Clemson College library where she met her husband of 71 years, Ralph E. Watkins, Jr. They moved to Calhoun Falls, SC., in 1938. She served for several years as the secretary for the Calhoun Falls Public Schools and as a clerical employee in the office of Burlington Mills. As an active member of the Calhoun Falls Methodist Church she served as a church school teacher and other leadership roles. While serving as president of the Woman's Society of Christian Service she was presented with the Life Membership Award. After moving to Newberry, SC, in 1961 she was employed by Bowers and Floyd Insurance and later secretary of Central United Methodist Church for 10 years. She was a member of the church choir and served as a Circle Leader. She was devoted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was affectionately called “Munnie” by all. She was always positive and full of energy and keen sense of humor. In retirement she and her husband enjoyed extensive traveling and spending active and happy times with family. She was always optimistic and lived life to the fullest until the last 10 years when stricken with Alzheimer’s.

In addition to her husband, Ralph Watkins, she is survived by her daughters, Martha (Jim) Winchester of Fountain Hills, AZ and Beverly (Tom) Mahon of Stone Mountain,GA; grandchildren Karen (Barry) Stiles of Athens, GA, Clarke (Rebecca) McNeace of Queen Creek, AZ, Thomas (Lan) Mahon, Jr. of Snellville, GA, Brett (Danielle) McNeace of Lake Quivera, KS, Misti (Rich) Mahon Billing of Duluth,GA, and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Karen Radcliffe at Central United Methodist Church Monday, October 5, 2009 at 2 pm. Family visitation will precede the services at 1 pm in the church social hall. Entombment will be at Newberry Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3223 Sunset Blvd, Suite 100, West Columbia, SC 29169 or to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 67, Newberry, SC 29108.

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