On Wednesday April 10, 2019, a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend peacefully passed away at Sentara Obici Hospital. She had her loving family by her side. Ruby S. Watkins was a native of Suffolk and the daughter of the late Alfonza and Arie C. Smallwood.

She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church.

She completed high school, then went to work for Mrs. Catherine Taylor. Married at an early age, she spent the rest of her career at Autumn Care Nursing Home of Suffolk for 35 years, where she retired.

Mrs. R. Watkins is survived by her children: Tracy S. Eley (Steve), Allen Powell, of McKinney, Texas, (Lynette), John Watkins Jr. and Shawn Frazier (Calvin), all of Suffolk; 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lottie Smallwood; other relatives, including a host of nephews and nieces, as well as a host of friends.

She was predeceased by six sisters: Carrie, Catherine, Denise, Eva, Margaret and Mildred; seven brothers: George, Hewitt, Leonard, Oscar, Saulie, Willie and Linwood; and one son, Tony D. Smallwood.

Ms. Watkins’ visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. A funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at the funeral home chapel, and she will be laid to rest at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended to www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.

Professional funeral services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home Inc.