Lois Sarah ‘Sallie’ Watkins

May 2, 1923 — May 30, 2009

MONTROSE — Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Lois Sarah “Sallie” Watkins died peacefully on May 30, 2009 at Sunrise Creek Assisted Living Center.  She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

Sallie was the daughter of James and Gladice Scott and was born on May 2, 1923 in Detroit, Mich. When she was 23 she met the love of her life, Elmer Ellsworth “Tex” Watkins, an officer in the U.S. Navy in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were married on Dec. 7, 1946, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2006. Sallie and Tex lived in a variety of places including Ohio, the East Coast, Puerto Rico, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Arizona but spent most of their lives in Colorado. Tex passed away on March 6, 2007.

Sallie attended Christ College and Texas Christian University graduating with a degree in nursing. As a registered nurse her career included working at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, as a school nurse in Colorado Springs, and as a nurse for Planned Parenthood.

Sallie enjoyed traveling, china painting, bridge, and gardening. Most of all she loved being with her family. She was very social and outgoing and never met a stranger.

Sallie is survived by her sister, Gladice Schmidt; her children, Sharon Jackson and Bruce Watkins (wife Deborah Watkins); her grandchildren, Lyneen Doucet (husband John Doucet), Holly Melendy (husband Daniel Melendy), Tracy March (husband Ryan Marsh), Casey Jackson and Ricki Watkins; and her great grandchildren, Owen Doucet, Trevor Doucet, Elliot Melendy, and Nicholas Melendy. Sallie was preceded in death by her husband, Tex and their oldest son, Michael S. Watkins (wife Christina Watkins).

The family will hold a private service in Colorado Springs where Sallie will be laid to rest next to her husband and son. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, In Memory of Lois Watkins, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO  81402. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory of Montrose, Colo.