Bette H. Watkins

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bette H. Watkins, of Marshall will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Morgan White officiating. A time of visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Downs Funeral Home with Rosary to be held at 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery, Gladewater, Texas.

Bette Hilger Watkins was born on May 22, 1927 in Dallas, Texas to William A. Hilger and Josephine Lynch Hilger. She passed away on January 29, 2016 in Marshall, Texas at 88 years of age. She grew up in Dallas graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School and attending SMU. Bette married Thomas C. Watkins in San Antonio, Texas in 1972 and he preceded her in death in July of 1982. She worked as a secretary for Eastman Chemical for a number of years, was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and helped with Meals on Wheels, and served many meals at the church. She enjoyed playing Bridge, gardening until her health declined, and was an avid animal lover.

Surviving Bette is her sister, Jacquelyn Graves of Aurora, Colorado; nieces, Peggy Graves, and Paula Graves, both of Brazoria, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and a nephew, Paul K. Graves, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the Pet Place or the Humane Society of Harrison County.