Jesse Edward “Babe” Watkins, age 75, passed away August 16, 2017 of Alzheimer’s disease. Babe was born November 16, 1941, in Copeville, Texas, to Jesse “Hoss” Smith and Flora Pearl (Turner) Watkins. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Nan Self on November 1, 1960, and they were married for over 56 years. Babe graduated from Wylie High School where he was named All-District football, basketball, baseball and track, served on the year book staff, was a class officer and was voted as class favorite at WHS. Babe attended the University of Texas in Arlington. Babe coached his kids in sports until they were all in high school and all three played on teams that had excellent seasons in high school. Two of Sherry’s softball teams went to the state championship, Gary Todd was probably the only 12 year old pitcher with a knuckle drop ball, and Mark’s senior year of high school went to the state championships in baseball. Babe influenced lots of young kids through coaching excellence, love for sports and his wisdom of the game. Babe always wanted to see people do well and exceed to their greatest ability. Sherry, Gary and Mark’s friends always looked up to Babe and enjoyed being around him.
He also enjoyed racing stock cars, drag cars, motorcycles, and jet boats. Babe and his late friend, Henry Smiley, are in Heaven right now re-building a big block Chevy motor and getting ready to race Friday and Saturday night. They finally have their “Race Team” back together. Babe’s One and ONLY true love was Betty Nan – he allowed Betty to “appear” that she ran the “show” – but we all knew the influence Babe had as head of the household. He always drove Betty’s “hand me down” vehicles and let her drive the newest/best cars while he took her old ones, including the green Laguna station wagon that she used to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics – he never took the writing off the back window that said, “I sell Mary Kay Cosmetics”, (BOY, did he catch grief for that from all his kids and his kid’s friends). Babe was NOT a materialistic person. He was a common down to earth guy who appreciated the small things in life.
Babe had great spiritual values. After his back injury he worshipped through television recordings and live sermons that he listened to during the week by himself. He was a true Baptist follower. Our Dad and Husband will be missed!
He is survived by his wife, Betty Watkins of St. Paul, Texas; children, Sherry Angela Watkins Wiersema of Royce City, Texas, Gary Todd Watkins of St. Paul, Texas, and Mark Edward Watkins of Murphy, Texas; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Maryland Dale Watkins, and Winston Watkins.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 19, 2017, at Hurst’s Fielder-Baker Chapel in Farmersville, Texas. Interment will follow at Wilson Chapel Cemetery in Lowry Crossing, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday evening at the funeral home.