Elizabeth "Betsy" Watkins

Elizabeth "Betsy" Watkins, 94, of Benton passed away on Wednesday, March 11. She was born in Benton, June 30, 1920 to Clifford and Jewell Rowland. Betsy was president and salutatorian of her senior class from Benton High School in 1939. In 1942, she married Bud Watkins and they lived and raised their family in Benton. She worked at various retail jobs, the Benton school cafeterias and the Saline County Circuit Clerks office. She is a member of Highland Heights Baptist Church. Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Juanita Bayliss and Patricia Stanley, two brothers, David Rowland and Bill Rowland; her husband and daughter, Phyllis Watkins. She is survived by two sons. Patrick Watkins (Sandy) of Atlanta, Georgia and Chris Watkins (Janice) of Zebulon, North Carolina, one daughter, Karen Ray(Adrian) of Little Rock four grandchildren, Erin Ridling, Brandon Watkins(Dawn), Kendall Watkins and Grant Watkins; a step-grandson, Adrian Ray II and a step-granddaughter, Adrianna Ray, three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Saturday, March 14 from 1-2 p m in the chapel at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton with funeral services following at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Ashbys. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Highland Heights Baptist Church, 1421 Alcoa Road, Benton, Ark. 72015 or Alzheimer's Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Dr. Little Rock, Ark. 72205. On line guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.