Vivian Mae Watkins

Vivian Mae Watkins, 89, of New Philadelphia, passed from this life on Wednesday evening, June 15, 2005, at Hennis Care Center in Dover, Ohio, where she had been a patient for a short time.She was born in Belle Valley, Ohio, on August 5, 1915, to Clarence Mitchum Watson and Cleo Ethel McCune Watson, but spent most of her life in New Philadelphia, Ohio.She married Paul Revere Watkins on December 22, 1935, and celebrated 62 years of marriage before his death in 1998.After Paul’s death, she sold their home and resided the past seven years with a granddaughter, Laura Bell, and her family, of New Philadelphia, where she enjoyed the company of her great-granddaughters while other family members attended to work schedules.She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Rose Marie (David) Lomax, of New Philadelphia; a son and his wife, Robert Paul (Linda) Watkins, of Antioch, CA; a daughter-in-law, Sheila Watkins, of Bolivar, O., nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Robert (Wilma) Watson and Walter (Freda) Watson, both of New Philadelphia; a sister, Marjorie Mardis, of West Lafayette, O.; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Watson, of New Philadelphia and Marian Watson, of Dover. Extended family members, of course, include many nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents and husband, Vivian was preceded in death by a son, Samuel James Watkins, Sr.; two brothers, James R. Watson and Richard A. Watson; a sister-in-law, June Watson; a brother-in-law Philip Mardis, Sr., and a brother-in-law and wife, Gomer (Mildred) Watkins.Vivian was a member of the Community of Christ, of New Philadelphia, where in former years, she was active in teaching Sunday School, directing Vacation Bible School, serving as Women’s Leader and preparing the white linen communion cloths used for worship services.Vivian was a talented seamstress and helped sew choir robes for the youth choir. She also made her own clothes, even in recent years. Because of her husband’s employment, she was able to spend her time at home caring for her children, and enjoying cooking, gardening, reading and knitting.Services will be held Saturday, June 18, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with Elder Glenn Carlisle officiating. Calling hour will be Saturday from 1:00 p.m. till service time. Burial will be at Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia with a reception being held at the Geib Family Center, for family and friends following interment.Memorials may be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas Co., 201 W. Third St. Dover, OH 44622; Outreach International, c/o Community of Christ, 515 Church Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or a charity of choice.