Van Alstyne Leader
January 21, 1966
Page 1

NEGRO MAN DIES OF GUNSHOT BLAST BY WIFE

Robert Lee Watkins, 24, a negro bricklayer, died shortly after midnight Sunday, following a gunshot wound in the lower abdomen he received at his residence three miles east of town just after noon Sunday.
Watkin's wife, Zella Fay Watkins, was charged with assault to murder in A.L.McGuire's justice of the peace court Monday. She remained in jail in lieu of $3,000 bond.
According to reports, Watkins had been visiting his father who lives in the west part of town, and was accompanied home in his truck by his teenage brother, Freddie. As they drove up to the home, got out and started walking to the front door, he was struck by a single shot from a 16-gauge shotgun.