Nora “Liz” Watkins
Nora “Liz” Watkins
Nora “Liz” Watkins
1950-2014
Nora “Liz” Watkins, age 64, of Maryville, Missouri, entered into peace Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at her home near Maryville, Missouri. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Wes Mayfield officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. (service time) at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery, College Springs, Iowa. Memorials may be given in her name. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.
Nora Elizabeth “Liz” (Nelson) Watkins was born June 13, 1950 at Keltner, Missouri to John D. Nelson and Verga Lavera (Cunningham) Nelson. She was one of twelve children. Liz’s family lived in Keltner, Missouri, Clearmont, Missouri and settled in College Springs, Iowa where Liz graduated from South Page High School in 1968. She was united in marriage to Donald Watkins June 21, 1972 at the Methodist Church in College Springs. They were blessed with five children, Jason Leon, Kevin Wayne, Joseph William, Melissa and Melinda. Don was in the Navy and the family traveled extensively around the United States. Don was discharged in 1983 and the family lived in Blanchard and College Springs and moved to Southern Missouri in 1994 and Oklahoma in 2008; moving north of Maryville in 2012.
Liz was first and foremost a wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was very important to her; she was passionate about her grandchildren and especially great grandchildren. Nora will be remembered for her great cooking and baking. She will also be remembered for always putting others needs ahead of her own needs. Liz loved to sew and knit and was well read and willing to learn something new; she enjoyed cooking shows and learning new crafts. She enjoyed life, had a good sense of humor and was always able to see the good even in bad experiences.
Preceding Liz in death were her parents; children, Jason, Joseph William (Billy), Melissa and Melinda; brothers, Ralph Harold Nelson, Donald Henry Nelson, brother-in-law, Robert Mays.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of almost 42 years, Don Watkins of Maryville, Missouri; son, Kevin Wayne Watkins of Shenandoah, Iowa; granddaughter, Mandalyn Hamilton of Carterville, Missouri; great grandchildren, Jeremah Wayne Hamilton, Lukas Jay Hamilton and Tehya Reyne Hamilton; brothers, John A. Nelson and wife Marceen of Coin, Iowa, Joseph A. (Joe) Nelson and wife Pam of Blanchard, Iowa, Thetus Eugen Nelson of Palm Springs, California; sisters, Geneva Ellen Harris and husband Norville of Maryville, Missouri, Neva May Stuart and husband John of Aurora, Missouri, Cloie Fern Raush and husband Jerry of Hopkins, Missouri, Virgie Lorene Eames and husband Dennis of Kona, Hawaii, Della Rosetta Mays of Clarinda, Iowa, Lorenda Sue Hamm and husband Roger of Pierce City, Missouri; nieces; nephews; and many friends.
Liz will missed by her loving family and friends.
She will be forever in their hearts.
May God grant comfort and peace to those who mourn her passing.
