Merlene Watkins

Ms. Merlene Nelson Watkins, age 98 of Fayette, passed away February 5, 2022 in Fayette County Long Term Care. Merlene was born on January 6, 1924 to Belton and Delma Kizzire Nelson. She was a devoted stay at home mom for her five children. She retired from Laniers after 10 years perfect attendance. Services will be Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel with Rev. Gary Brasher and Bro. Doug Stephenson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. She grew up in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and later became a member of Fayette Assembly of God. Where she loved working, helping in the kitchen for social events. Also, where she sang alto in the church choir. She enjoyed cooking for and having many missionaries. She loved reading her bible through several times a year. She was blessed with sixteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. Ms. Watkins is survived by her four daughters, Malinda Ann Pyles (Ricky), Rita Gail Roper, Kathy Sue Harris (Pete), Eva Fortenberry; one stepson, Steven Lamar Watkins (Christie); three sisters, Christine Nelson Lawson, Nell Nelson Morrison (Joe), Mary Nelson Gay; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Belton Nelson and Delma Kizzire Nelson; brothers, Lewis Nelson, and Roy Nelson; sisters, Glenda Nelson and Jimmy Dale Nelson Gilliam; son, Jimmy Ray “Bama” Watkins; infant granddaughter, Brenda Ann Marlowe; and grandson, Austin Clark Noah. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jody Roper, Danny Shackleford, Jeremy Harris, Jessie Harris, Benjamin, Fortenberry, and Dakota Yates.