Elizabeth “Bettie” Marie Watkins

Elizabeth “Bettie” Marie Watkins, 88, of Cataula, GA died Monday, February 7, 2022 at her residence.

Funeral services  will be held 2:00 PM Friday, February 11, 2022 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev Tim Jones officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. Burial will follow in Riverdale Cemetery.

Bettie was born September 26, 1933 in Americas, GA to the late James William Cartledge, Sr. and Lucille Simerly Cartledge. She worked at the telephone company as an information operator and retired from J.C. Penny in the cosmetology department. She was a member of Britt David Baptist Church and taught Sunday School to teens and 5-6 year olds. She loved flowers, painting and making note cards and playing dominos with her senior group. She graduated from Baker High School where she was a majorette, voted most beautiful, Peanut Queen and received various other awards and pageants and modeled for different products. Other than her parents she is preceded in death by her husband David “Ape” Kenneth Watkins, brother, James Cartledge, sister, Gloria Ann Mullin, dear friend, Wallace Cochran, son-in-law, George Jones and brother-in-law William H. Mullin.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna Marie Watkins Thigpen (Edward “Ed”) of Midland, GA, Joni Watkins Jones of Cataula, GA, Linda Anne Watkins Osborne of Lewisville, TX, Teresa G. Watkins Hardage (Todd) of La Grange, GA, brother, Don Cartledge (Myrna) of Rockville, VA, 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Britt David Baptist Church Building Fund at 2801 W Britt David Rd, Columbus, GA 31909 or Columbus Hospice House at 7020 Moon Rd. Columbus, GA 31907.