Mr. Steve Allen Watkins (70) passed away Monday, October 30, 2023, at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley, Mississippi. His funeral will be Thursday, November 2, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Abbeville with Dr. Joe Lusby and Brother Stacy Watkins officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Flat Rock Cemetery.

Mr. Watkins was born in Flint, Michigan, on April 27, 1953, to the late Harvie and Juanita Depriest Watkins. He attended Abbeville Elementary School and Lafayette Junior High and Lafayette High Schools. He was employed for several years by Avent’s Dairy in Oxford and later worked construction.

Mr. Watkins was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Abbeville, as well as being a member of Calvary Baptist Church and Driver’s Flat Baptist Church. He attended church faithfully as long as he was able.

Mr. Watkins enjoyed spending time with his large extended family—playing games and eating good food. He especially liked playing checkers and card games like Rook or Spades. He smiled often, and his family and friends knew him as loyal and protective.

At the Yalobusha County Nursing Home, Mr. Watkins often led those who attended the devotional times in singing the old hymns, and he kept everyone informed about the Ole Miss football team.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Watkins was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Reynolds Watkins. He leaves behind his stepmother, Bobbie Watkins; his brothers, Stanley and Stacy Watkins; his sisters, Peggy Thomas, Penny Colston, Pam Brown, and Patty Lusby; a stepsister, Kristy Hollowell; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews to cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Abbeville Samaritan's Purse (P.O.Box 80, Abbeville, MS 38601).