JULY 12, 1945 – JUNE 18, 2022

Wilma Jean (Washington) Watkins was born on July 12, 1945, in Portland, Oregon, to the union of Tommie Washington and Irene (Ware) Washington. She was raised in a loving home with her five siblings: Ora, Lucille, Lula, Willie, and Roy. Her nephew Ellis Ray and nieces Rita, Arnita and Sharon. 

She attended Boise Elementary School and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1963. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in a special program at Providence Hospital to become a Nurses Aid. But her pursuit in a nursing career was sidelined when she met and married Harold Steven Watkins, who was stationed at the Air Force Base in Portland, OR. To this union one child was born, Cynthia Irene (Watkins) Rodolph. 

Ms. Jean wasn’t a stranger to hard work or reluctant to chart a new career path. In the early 1970’s she worked in production for Omark Industries, Inc., a Chain Saw Company in Oregon. In the mid 1970’s she worked for Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill in Camas, Washington in management as a Clock Room Attendant. At Crown Z, she earned the title, “Pit Bull” because Momma didn’t take no mess! After retiring from Crown Z, she became a Switch Board Operator for the Board of Medical Examiners. I’m certain her love for Bingo equipped her to master that switch board. Then, she decided to try a career in road construction and became a Traffic Control Flagger. As previously stated, she wasn’t a stranger to hard work or reluctant to try something new.

Of all the many jobs Ms. Jean held throughout her career, being Granny to her one and only grandchild, Christopher Michael Rodolph superseded them all. In 2002, when she learned she would soon become a grandmother, she couldn’t pack and move fast enough. Wherever Christopher was, that’s where his Granny longed to be because he was her pride & joy, and they shared a very special bond.

Ms. Jean joined Bethel AME Church and sang in the Inspirational Choir for several years. She later joined Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully in several ministries until she moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2002. There she joined Old Mountain Top Baptist Church and sang a joyful noise in the Thomas Dorsey Birthplace Choir until she relocated to Texas in 2007 and became a member of Koinonia Christian Church.

Ms. Jean was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She enjoyed attending church, travelling, shopping, and playing Bingo (when she could), watching “The Young and the Restless,” listening to gospel music, eating fried catfish, and spending time with family and friends. She has maintained close relationships with her remaining childhood friends and formed strong bonds with new ones met along the way. Her generosity had no bounds. She was always swift to help anyone in need…without question. 

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, Mom was called home to be with her Lord and Savior. 

She leaves to cherish her memory: her siblings, Willie Thomas Washington (Faye) and Roy Lee Washington; her daughter, Cynthia Irene Rodolph (Michael); grandson, Christopher Michael Rodolph. And a host of nieces…great & great-great, nephews…great & great-great, cousins and extended family and friends too numerous to mention. She will truly be missed.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents: Tommie and Irene Washington, sisters: Ora Lee Beemon, Lucille Washington, Lula Russell, sister-in-law: Peggy Washington, and nieces: Arnita Leary and Rita Leary.

Special Acknowledgements:

The family of Wilma Jean Watkins would like to acknowledge and express heartfelt gratitude towards everyone who said a prayer, called, came to visit, offered words of comfort and encouragement, sent a card, flowers or food. Whatever your expression of sympathy was during our time of bereavement, it was greatly appreciated. Thank you!