Margaret Smith Watkins of Charlotte Court House passed away peacefully, at home, on Monday August 27th, 2018. Born in Pulaski, VA, on November 9th, 1922, Margaret was the daughter of Robert Hall Smith and Mary Wysor Smith. Margaret was married to David Comfort Watkins, Sr. for 62 years, and was also predeceased by her daughter, Margaret Donnell Watkins.
Margaret is survived by David Comfort Watkins, Jr. and wife Pam, Elizabeth Watkins Carson and husband Carter, and James Clement Watkins and wife Allyson. Margaret is also a dearly beloved Mamie to grandchildren Allison Watkins Pillow, Emily Watkins Hamlett, David Comfort Watkins III, Carrington Watkins Pritchard, Scott Carter Carson, Isabel Wysor Carson, Mary Margaret Watkins, and Robert Wease Watkins, and great-grandchildren Annabelle Watkins Pillow, Henry Wayne Pillow, Sidney Clifton Hamlett, Garland Hyde Hamlett IV, Rutherfoord Golubic Hamlett, Margaret Leigh Pritchard, and Elizabeth Watkins Pritchard.
Margaret showed artistic talent at an early age, and both parents encouraged her. She studied art at Hollins College, where after two years her professor declared that he had taught her all he knew. She moved to Chicago, and in 1943 earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at The Art Institute of Chicago. For many, many years after that, Margaret never stopped painting. Her body of work is extensive, diverse, and beloved by all who are fortunate to share it.
Margaret was a Christian leader of absolute faith. For 42 years, she brought praise to our Lord from the organ at Village Presbyterian Church, and – during the boomer years – she was the Director of the Junior Choir. Her involvement in various church and community activities is beyond enumeration. To everything she did, Margaret brought passion, creativity, a playful sense of humor, and an iron will to do it right.
Margaret was a loving wife and mother, a consummate homemaker, a richly talented and prolific artist, and an accomplished musician. Margaret leaves behind a resounding legacy of Christian faith, intellectual vigor, boundless and tireless artistic pursuit, and steadfast devotion to church, family, and community. And popsicles.
A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 1st, at Village Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Village Church, or the Village Cemetery Fund, both P.O. Box 300, Charlotte Court House, VA 23923. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA, is serving the family.
Condolence Messages
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Anne Sprinkle Carr
My deepest sympathy to all family members. May you find comfort in the many cherished memories of one
loved so much.
June Wease Nash
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Margaret (Peggy) Moncure Sutton
It was such a privilege to know her and all her family. Peggy Moncure Sutton.
Mary Leigh Morbey
We wish peace and strength to all the members of the Watkins family with the passing of their remarkable Mother and Grandmother Margaret. She added much to so many lives over so many years and we can continually remember her contributions.
On behalf of the Joe Smith family … Wysor, Frank and Joe Smith of Roanoke, VA, Mary Leigh Smith Morbey of Toronto, Canada, and Leighanna Morbey of New York City, NY.
Emily Strader
Wonderful memories of learning how to carry a tune with Mrs Watkins at the helm of our Junior Choir at Village Church.
Sulane Scruggs
To the Watkins family: God bless and comfort you all at this difficult time of saying ‘farewell for now’.
Joanne Catron
May you all find peace and comfort in the coming days as you celebrate all that Mamie brought to her family and community.
Helen Parrish
So few can leave such a rich legacy, including so many children and grandchildren who carry on a tradition of personal warmth and generosity hardly found in today’s world.
Judy Childress
Dozer and Family,
I was so sorry to hear about your mom. I didn’t see your mom much at Heidi Ho but I seen your dad alot . You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Childress
Frieda Whirley
So sorry for your loss. Was my pleasure to have met Margaret many years ago. May you all be showered with blessings and the comfort of our Lord.
Sarah Roberta Rutherfoord
Dearest Cousins,
Rick and children and I are sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing from this life on to the next. She will be missed in so many ways. I remember her as being the most gracious hostess making everyone feel particularly welcome. Imagine her delight with all the beauty heaven has to offer seen through her artist eyes. Rev. 15:2, “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire” In 2 Chron. 3:6 God commanded Solomon to fill HIs temple here on earth with beauty covering it with precious stones that had no purpose except for beauty. How much more must His heaven be an awesome delight to all but especially to an artist like Cousin Margaret who not only made beautiful works of art but lived a Christian life that was itself a great work of art.