Mrs. Nadine Cochran Watkins, age 78, of Riddleville, died Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at her residence following an extended illness. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 26th at 11:00 in May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel with burial at New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Reverend Lamar Brantley, Reverend M.D. Cabe and Reverend Andy Carter will officiate. Pallbearers will be Shannon Anderson, John Hollie, Jeff Alligood, Bobby Moon, Alan Amerson, Dexter Wansley, Jordon Maddox and David Kitchens.
Mrs. Watkins was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, the daughter of the late Henry Lewis Cochran and the late Mary Ona Brown Cochran. She graduated in the first graduating class of Washington County High School in 1968. Nadine formerly worked for Royal manufacturing prior to beginning a long career in education as a paraprofessional with the Washington County Board of Education. She extended her love for teaching children through Sunday school at First Church of the Nazarene and as a substitute teacher in the school system. Nadine was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church where she sang in the church choir. She possessed a great love of music, formerly singing and traveling with the gospel group the Lamp Lighters. She became known for her talent of baking cakes and created her own “cake ministry” in her later years bringing joy to many. Mrs. Watkins is predeceased by her brother, Joe Cochran.
Survivors are; her husband, S.M. Watkins of Riddleville; children, Russell Meeks and his wife Deborah and Neil Meeks and his wife Becky all of Oconee; step-children, Melissa W. Chrismer and her husband Robert of Lutz FL., and Dwayne Watkins of Milledgeville; grandchildren, Hayle M. Moon and her husband Bobby, Hilary M. Amerson and her husband Alan, Courtney Finken, Megan Meeks, Melanie M. Maddox and her husband Jordan, Alicia S. Henderson and her husband Mike and Amy Stewart; nine great grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Fenske of New Iberia LA.
The family will be at the Watkins residence in Riddleville and they will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sandersville.
Donations may be made to the Gideon’s, P.O. Box 891 Sandersville, Ga. 31082
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.