Artie Mae Dodson Watkins Obituary (1937 - 2017)

MADISON Artie Mae Dodson Watkins, 80, died Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at Hospice of Rockingham County. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 pm Saturday, October 7, 2017 followed by the funeral service at 2 pm at the Mayodan Moravian Church. Interment will follow in the Moravian Graveyard. Mrs. Watkins was born March 6, 1937, in Stokes County, to the late James Clemmon and Eulala Carter Dodson. She grew up on a tobacco farm, and as a teenager, played piano at Delta United Methodist Church. At the age of twelve, she met her then future husband, Tommy Garland Watkins and they were married when she was 20. Due to Tommys service in the military, Artie developed a love of traveling. She worked as a sales clerk with Scotty Drugs and Dollar General for over 25 years and was proud to have obtained her drivers license at the age of 62. Artie was a member of the Mayodan Moravian Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Keith Michael Carter; a granddaughter, Rebecca Lea Pearman; two brothers, Carey Dodson and Raymond Dodson; three sisters, Ella Ruth Ware, Lenora Ray and Carolyn Bowman. Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Tommy Garland Watkins; sons, Anthony Watkins and wife Mary of Burlington, Timothy Allen Watkins and wife Cindy of Madison, Gary Franklin Watkins and wife Paula of Lawsonville; daughter, Desiree W. Bowman and husband Scott of Greensboro; brothers, Jamie Dodson and wife Shelvie of Sandy Ridge, Wade Dodson and wife Edith of Sandy Ridge; sister, Lois Smith of Reidsville; grandchildren, Eric Watkins, Ryan Watkins, Melissa Boyd, Tara Medlin, Joshua Watkins, Ashley Watkins; great-grandchildren, Haley Pearman, Hannah and Zander Watts, Ashlen Longberry, Grayson Medlin; and great-great-grandchild, Desmond Longberry; and several special nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends all other times at the residence. Memorials may be made to the Mayodan Moravian Church, 104 S. 3rd Avenue, Mayodan, NC 27027, Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 and/or The American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060. The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Rockingham County for their wonderful care. To contact a local florist, click "RESOURCES" at the top/right of this page and then "LOCAL FLORIST". Condolences may be offered by clicking "SIGN GUEST BOOK" above or below. Please note, condolences will not appear on the Guest Book until an administrator of the website approves the note. Thanks.