Joy Fay Watkins

Joy Fay Burris Watkins our beautiful mom was called to heaven to be our guardian angel on August 4, 2013. She was 82 years old.

She was born September 6, 1930 in McKinney, Texas to Bryan and Bessie Burris, she married Denver Dale Watkins on April 3, 1948 and together they raised thirteen children.

Joy was a homemaker and a bookkeeper for Denver at D. D. Watkins and Sons Construction. She was a devoted wife and mother, an avid reader, and enjoyed crossword puzzles, bingo, and dominoes. She had many friends through the years that she shared these activities with.

She was preceded in death by her husband Denver, parents Bryan and Bessie Burris, sister Ruth Holloway, four brothers Leo, Leroy, O.D., and twin brother Coy Burris, brothers-in-law Larry and Arthur Watkins, daughter in-law Sue Ann Watkins, and grandchildren Quincy, Howard Jr., Chase, Julie, and Kristen.

She is survived by her children, Kenneth Watkins and wife Renee of Lockport, Il., Barbara Jones and husband Steve of Kansas City, MO., Michael Watkins of Ballinger, Pamela Schkade and husband Charles of De Rio, TX., Quentin Watkins and wife Margaret of Ballinger, Jimmy Watkins and wife Pamilla of San Angelo, TX., Marvin Watkins and wife Julie of Pearce, AZ., Denise Beimer and husband Howard of Ballinger, Scott Watkins and wife Stormie of Ballinger, Richard Watkins and wife Dinette of Midkiff, TX., Kathryn Halfmann of San Angelo, Cynthia Rubeo of Lubbock, TX., and Joy Cavazos and husband Ernest of Ballinger, sister Rosa Norman, aunt Kathryn Crawford, sisters in-law LaVene and Pat Watkins, Mildred, Josie, and Irma Burris, numerous nieces and nephews, 53 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren.

Joy’s grandson will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren. Pallbearer will be Shayne Watkins, Devin Watkins, James Winchester, Jack Watkins, Chad Reed, Joe Watkins, Jason Halfmann, and Tanner Cavazos. Honorary pallbearers are Jeffery Watkins, Christopher Watkins, Daniel Watkins, David Watkins, Michelle Rose, Jody Willborn, Amanda McBee, Elizabeth Haury, Shanna Callaway, Apryll Priest, April Plaisance, John Watkins, Tony Mucha, Christopher Schkade, Tammie Virden, Tricia Richey, Mackenzie Watkins, Madison Watkins, Christian Watkins, Melanie Beimer, Natasha Beimer, Bobby Watkins, Kimberly Williford, Jennifer Watkins, Sarah Watkins Burrage, Jacob Watkins, Emma Watkins, Darcie Montgomery, Dillon Watkins, Dustin Watkins, Randi Coalson, Shenna Watkins, Allison Brorman, Mikela Gully, Jill Halfmann, Chance Galvan, Jarred Galvan, and Jade Cavazos.

Visitation is set for Tuesday evening August 6th from 6-8 pm at Lange Funeral Home. Services will be Wednesday, August 7th at 2:00 pm at the Seventh Street Baptist Church in Ballinger with her nephew Pastor Kevin Burris officiating. Interment will follow at Old Runnels Cemetery in Ballinger.

Family would like to thank the staff of Ballinger Nursing and Rehabilitation and Interim Hospice of San Angelo for the care of their mother. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ballinger Senior Citizens Center, Interim Hospice of San Angelo, or any charity of your choice.

“An angel on earth, and now in Heaven”