Submitted by: Dan Rich

Josie Watkins

Sept. 3, 1924 - Sept. 2, 2000

South Bend Tribune 9/7/2000

Josie Watkins, 75, of North Elmer Street, South Bend, Ind., entered into eternal rest at 10:30 p.m. on Satur-day, Sept. 2, in the Cardinal Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, South Bend. Josie was born to the union of Joseph and Hattie (Jackson) Finney Sr., on Sept. 3, 1924, in Juliette, Ga. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Joseph Finney Sr.; two sisters, Margie Bond and Marie Mann; and by a brother, Sherman Finney.

On April 13, 1944, she was united in holy matrimony to Gus Watkins in Forsyth, Ga. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins made South Bend their home shortly after their marriage, and to their union four precious children were born. Josie gave her life to God at a young age when she joined St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Juliette. During her lifetime in South Bend Josie was an active member of Emmanuel Deliverance Church of God in Christ where she served as a member of the Y.W.C.C., Women's Mission, Senior Choir, Sunday school teacher, and vacation Bible school teacher. She was known by her fellow "Saints" as a prayer warrior and great teacher.

She leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her loss a loving and devoted husband, Gus Watkins; four children, Charles Watkins of South Bend, Charlotte (Samuel) Moore of Milwaukee, Wis., Dorinda (Larry) Bond of South Bend and Reverend Delbert (Kalendria) Watkins of Douglasville, Ga.; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Doris (Charlie) Redding of Greensboro, N.C., Americus (Henry) Bowens of Atlanta and Edna Thompson of Jacksonville, N.C.; and a brother, Joseph (Ruth) Finney Jr. of Juliette, Ga.; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Watkins will be held at noon on Friday, Sept. 8, in the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where friends may call one hour prior to the services. Entombment will follow at Highland Mausoleum. Alford's Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.