Eva Frances Watkins

Eva Frances McMillan Watkins was born Monday June 7, 1943 at Laurel General Hospital and died on October 14, 2017 at Comfort Care Nursing Center at the age of 74. Eva had many things in her life that she enjoyed immensely, one being an accomplished musician serving many churches in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and California as church organist. Another thing she enjoyed was baking cakes and pies for her family and friends and sharing them with everyone. She loved to read mystery novels written by English mystery writers of the 1800’s. She was a die-hard Ole Miss Rebel and New Orleans Saints fan. Eva loved her family dearly which included siblings, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Eva’s service will be conducted by nephew-in-law, Rev. Benji Sessums and Rev. Gene Douglas on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Memory Chapel. Interment will be in Lake Park Cemetery. Eva was preceded in death by her father, Newton Jasper McMillan, her mother, Eva Brannan McMillan, her brother, Newton Joseph McMillan, a very special nephew, Robert Gerald Lightsey, and one niece, Sheila Ann McMillan. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Harold Batteaste Watkins, who was the love of her life. Eva is survived by her brother, William Errol (Billy) McMillan (Frances) of Rome, Georgia, her sister, Doris Evelyn McMillan Lightsey (Johnnie) of Laurel, three nephews, Thomas Joseph McMillan (Sue) of San Antonio, Texas, Kenneth Bryant Lightsey (Brenda) of Corsicana, Texas, Stephen Douglas McMillan (Jeannie) of Alpharetta, Georgia, two nieces, Judi Karen Lightsey McQueen of Laurel and Sherry Lynn McMillan Wiedman (Ray) of Woodstock, Georgia. Additionally, she is survived by numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews and one very special cousin, Patricia Ann Stubbe Shields (Don) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Special thanks go to physicians Jack Evans, MD of Laurel, Randolph Ross, MD of Hattiesburg, and Laurie Evans Douglas, MD of Hattiesburg. Pall bearers will be great nephews, Ben McMillan, Matthew McQueen, Tyler Lightsey, Taylor Lightsey, Cullen Lightsey, Todd Lightsey, and Bryant Chaffin. Honorary pall bearers will be step great nephew, Danny Roberts and great-great nephews, Brannan and Christopher Sessums. Per Eva’s request, memorials should be made to the Robert G. Lightsey Memorial Music Scholarship at William Carey University.

Eva Frances Watkins

June 7, 1943 - October 14, 2017