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B. B. Watkins

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Benjamin Brown Watkins

“When you come to the end of the long, long trail,
And your hunting and trapping days are gone,
When your steps grow weak and your sinews fail,
And it’s time to answer the great last cal;
It isn’t the size of the cabin you’ve built,
Nor what you have won in pelts or fame,
The thing that counts is the right to say
“I’ve kept the faith—I’ve played the game.”

The above lines are an appropriate tribute to the late Brown Watkins who was laid beneath his native sod in the Matagorda Cemetery Monday afternoon, March fifteenth for he was a devoted husband and father and ever faithful to this legion of friends.

He was never so happy as when his children, children-in-law and grand children all gathered at the home of him and his wife to visit them and at all times he gave friends who were always calling in, a cordial and pleasant welcome.

His parents were like him in that respect. His father jovial and friendly and a good man. His mother before her marriage was Miss Mollie Lunn of the Matagorda pioneer Lunn family and she was very proud of the fact that she was a descendant of Pocohontas—a real American. The Lunns were from a line of physicians and several of Mrs. Watkins’ brothers were doctors (M. D.’s).

She was a graduate of a Texas College of that day and time and was considered a woman of a very brilliant mind. To converse with her was always to learn something worth while.

Mrs. Watkins had the same trend as the other Lunds and was a splendid nurse and many were indebted to her for her kindly ministrations to them in time of illness or distress and Brown and the other sons and daughters emulated her in their atmosphere toward others.

The Watkins’ are also Matagorda pioneers and a very prolific family. Many descendants are in the county now.

Mr. Brown Watkins was in his sixty seventh year and was born on east Wightman Street next to the Arthur Baer residence now the property of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Williams.

The surviving relatives have been mentioned in the Tribune (last week). The pall bearers were chosen from his close friends and were as follows: Guy Smith, A. W. McNabb, Gus Gottschalk, E. P. Layton, S. D. Baxter, Arthur Culver and a large cortege followed to the cemetery.

So fast, one by one, we are crossing the “great-divide” and according to our heavenly Father’s promises we will all be reunited some day never more to part yet it is so sad and lonely here without those who have gone on—May He give this bereft family strength to be brave. They have the greatest sympathy of their many friends.

Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, March 25, 1943
 

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Matagorda Man Killed In Wreck Friday Afternoon
Henry Duggard [Dugat] Dead, Ed. Watkins Badly Injured, Vernon Dietrich Suffered [Broken] Arm In Automobile Smash Up

Henry Duggard [Dugat], 52, died at the Loos Hospital last evening at 7 o’clock from head and internal injuries received in a car wreck about a mile and a half east of El Maton Friday afternoon at 4 o’clock and Ed. Watkins is in a very serious condition, suffering from head injuries and a crushed chest. Vernon Dietrich suffered a broken arm.

The three men, all of Matagorda, were returning from the celebration given at Palacios yesterday, in honor of Congressman J. J. Mansfield. Mr. Watkins was driving the Plymouth coupe of Henry Duggard’s [Dugat’s] and Vernon Dietrich was sitting on the outside with Duggard [Dugat] in the center. As they attempted to pass another car the other car turned to the left. The other car throwing his car out of control and it turned over several times. The other car was not badly damaged and the occupants in the car were not seriously hurt. Dietrich was brought to town in a private car and was given medical attention for his broken arm. The other two men were brought to the Loos hospital by the Walker-Matchett ambulance.

Mr. Duggard [Dugat] is survived by his wife.

The Duffy Funeral home of Matagorda is preparing the body for burial and funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Daily Tribune, July 16, 1938

Ed. Watkins Is 2^nd Wreck Victim Dies Sunday
Matagorda Man Dies From Injuries Received Saturday

Mr. Edward Jesse Watkins, age 49 years and four months, died Sunday morning at 9 o’clock at the Loos Hospital, following an automobile accident of Saturday afternoon which had already claimed one life. Henry Duggard died a few hours after the tragic accident of Saturday at the Loos Hospital.

The accident that claimed the lives of these two Matagorda men happened about a mile and a half west of El Maton Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock. In attempting to pass an automobile, their car was turned over, when the car they were attempting to pass, made a left turn. Vernon Dietrich, the third occupant of the Matagorda car, received a broken arm.

Duggard died without regaining consciousness at 7 o’clock Saturday evening and Watkins, with his chest badly crushed, passed away Sunday morning.

Walker-Matchett Funeral directors are in charge of the arrangements for the Watkins burial. Funeral services will be from the Methodist Church at Matagorda this afternoon at 4 o’clock and interment will be in the Matagorda Cemetery.

Surviving Mr. Watkins are: his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Mollie Belle Dagner, a bride of a few hours, before the accident, and Frances Watkins; one son, Joe, two sisters: Mrs. W. L. Bradford and Mrs. R. L. Smith: four brothers, Brown, Ross, Will and Jim.

Daily Tribune, July 18, 1938

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Gus Edward Watkins

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

James Manly Watkins Dies Wharton Today

Mr. James Manly Watkins, 66 years and 18 days, died at the Wharton hospital Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rose Watkins of Wadsworth one step son, Forest Horn Slavin of Bay City; two sisters, Mrs. Della Watkins of Bay City and Mrs. Thurston Smith of Newgulf; one brother, Will Watkins of Bay City.

Funeral services were held Thursday at 4 p. m. from Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. A. J. Adrian, pastor of the Matagorda Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Watkins was a member of one of the pioneer families of Matagorda county

Daily Tribune, May 4, 1950

James Manly Watkins Rites Held Thursday, Burial At Matagorda

Funeral services for James Manly Watkins, 66-year-old member of one of Matagorda County’s oldest families, were held May 4 from Taylor Brothers Funeral Home with the Rev. A. J. Adrian of the Matagorda Methodist Church officiating.

Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rose Watkins of Wadsworth; a stepson, Forest Horn Slavin of Bay City; two sisters, Mrs. Della Bradford of Bay City and Mrs. Thurston Smith of Newgulf; and one brother, Will Watkins of Bay City.

Burial was in Matagorda Cemetery.

Daily Tribune?, May 11, 1950

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Rose Horn Watkins

Funeral services for Rose Horn Watkins, 99, Bay City were scheduled for 3 p. m. Sunday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Chapel with Rev. Frank Seaman officiating.

Interment was scheduled in Matagorda Cemetery.

Watkins was born Feb. 8, 1883 in Missouri. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a resident of Matagorda County since 1908.

Daily Tribune, March 14, 1982
 

Keller Watkins

The little son, Keller, two and one half years of age, of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Watkins, that was taken to a Houston sanitarium some weeks ago for an operation, after much suffering, was released from pain Tuesday morning by the visit of the death angel. The little form, accompanied by the broken-hearted parents and grandmother, was brought back to Matagorda County that night and Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock was interred by its little sister, who died a few years ago.

Quite a number of Matagorda friends of the Watkins family met them at the cemetery. Rev. D. S. Burke presided over the funeral services. The grave was lined in white and evergreen and while the little casket was lowered into it, beautiful sacred sons were sung by a choir composed mostly of young voices.

When the new-made mound was done it presented a beautiful bank of floral designs.

None but those who have experienced the same knew of the anguish in the breasts of those dotting parents as they saw the little form consigned to its last resting place to await the dawning of the eternal day, yet with all our sorrows here how could we stand them if we had not that sweet assurance that in only a little while we are again reunited with our beloved to part, never more.

A Sympathizing Friend.

Matagorda County Tribune, June 11, 1915

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Leila Gottschalk Watkins

Leila Gottschalk Watkins, 87, a resident of Palacios, passed away December 3, at the Matagorda House. Survivors include: 1 sister, Bertha Gottschalk of Matagorda; 1 brother, H. M. Gottschalk of Matagorda; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 5, at 10 a. m. at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home with Reverend Jim Abernathy officiating. Interment will be at the Matagorda Cemetery in Matagorda with pallbearers being: Joe Smith, Stephen Gilmore, Savage Watkins, Murray Watkins, Roy Traylor and A. J. Tatum. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Daily Tribune, December 4, 1972                 William W. Watkins

Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
 

Lila J. Watkins

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Mrs. Nora E. Watkins Dies Wednesday Eve

Mrs. Nora Ellen Watkins, 83, of 2005 Matthews died Wednesday night at 7:15. She had been a resident of Bay City and Matagorda county all her life.

She is survived by one son, A. V. Cook of Bay City.

Funeral services will be from Christ Church in Matagorda Friday morning at 11 with the Rev. Aubrey C. Maxted of the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church officiating. Burial will be in Matagorda Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Billy Bell, Floyd Bell, Clinton Croft, J. L. Massoletti, Preston Williams and J. E. Schmerber.

Daily Tribune, February 3, 1956
 

Savage L. Watkins

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Savage Lincoln Watkins

Funeral services for Savage Lincoln Watkins, 81, of Matagorda will be held 10 a. m. Thursday at Christ Episcopal Church, Matagorda, with the Rev. Herbert Willke officiating. Burial will be in Matagorda Cemetery.

Mr. Watkins was born Nov. 1, 1905, in Matagorda to Benjamin B. and Lila Jasmine Savage Watkins and died 11:50 a. m. April 4, 1988, at Matagorda General Hospital, Bay City.

A lifelong resident of Matagorda and Old Gulf area, he was a member of the Matagorda Masonic Lodge 7 A. F. & A. M. and Christ Episcopal Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Norma Beth Holzaepfel of Beaumont; a son, Thomas Raymond Watkins of Dickinson; five grandchildren, Thomas R. Watkins Jr. and Brian Wade Watkins, both of Dickinson, Jo Lynn Sutton of Conroe, Theresa Ann Wyatt of Lockhart and Toni Gail Steck of Conroe; and nine great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers include Thomas Sutton, Gary Steck, Leslie Wyatt, Billy Watkins, Robert Vordick and David Sterling.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

Daily Tribune, April 5 or 6, 1988

Iola U. Watkins

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Iola Uvalar Watkins

Iola Uvalar Watkins, 63, of Matagorda died June 3 in Matagorda General Hospital. Survivors include: husband, S. L. Watkins of Matagorda; daughter, Norma Holzaepfel of Spring; son, Tommy Watkins of Dickinson; sister, Ethel Brower of West Columbia; brother, Thomas Raymond of Bay City and four grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at the Christ Episcopal Church in Matagorda, Thursday, at 4 p. m. with Rev. Robert Tarbet Jr. officiating. Interment service will be held in the Matagorda Cemetery. Pallbearers are Frank Balcar, Joe Smith, Coleman Stansell, E. A. “Smokey” Beard, Junior Savage, and Eddie Hauk. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Vordick, Bill Fuller, Aubrey Williams, John Sterling, and Charlie Brower. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Research Fund.

Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, June 4?, 1975
 

Wilburn G. Watkins

Watkins, Wilburn G., 67, of Palacios, passed away while visiting friends in Corpus Christi Sunday. Watkins was born February 24, 1905 in Matagorda. He resided in Palacios after retiring from Texas Gulf Sulphur with 40 years of service. Survivors include: his mother, Mrs. W. W. Watkins of Bay City; [illegible]; 2 aunts, Mrs. Bertha Gottschalk of Matagorda, Mrs. Della Bradford of Bay City; 1 uncle, Mr. H. M. Gottschalk of Matagorda; [illegible]; The funeral will be held Tuesday, July 11, at 10:30 a. m. at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, with the Rev. James Abernathy officiating. Interment will be in Matagorda Cemetery. Pallbearers include: A. J. Tatum, E. J. Bohuslav, Gene Johnston, R. R. Fulton, J. J. Chromcak, Bailey Williams, and honorary pallbearer Covey Walker. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Daily Tribune, July, 1972

Catherine Ann Watkins

Watkins, Mrs. Catherine Ann, age 66, passed away on April 3 in Matagorda House. She was a long-time resident of Palacios. Survivors include her husband, Wilburn G. Watkins, Palacios; [illegible]; sister, Miss Mary Frances Doss, Laredo, Tex.; brother, Will W. Doss, Wadsworth [illegible]. Services will be held Monday, April 5 at 2:00 p. m. from Taylor Brothers Chapel with the Rev. James Abernathy of St. John’s Episcopal Church officiating. Interment will be in Matagorda Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bailey Williams, E. J. Bohuslav, Gene Johnston, W. T. Cowart, R. R. Fulton, J. J. Chromcak and Bob McFeron. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Daily Tribune, April, 1971