Bernice Cheeks Watkins

Mrs. Bernice Cheeks Watkins, 77, of Cooley Drive, Gainesville died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

She was born Dec. 8, 1929, to the late Albert and Loretta Harper Cheeks. She was an active member of Antioch Baptist Church for many years. Bernice was joined in marriage to Mr. Willie B. Watkins on Aug. 2, 1961, and was married for 46 wonderful years. She retired from Fieldale Poultry after 35 years of service. She was preceded in death by one son, Mr. Willie Lee; sister, Ellen Wheeler; and brother, Leroy Cheeks.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Mr. Willie B. Watkins; daughters, Sharon (Stevie) Hudson, Theresa Jackson and Lavonne Watkins; sons, Kenneth (Jackie) Watkins, Michael (Doris) Lee, Richard (Marjorie) Lee, Roger (Alice) Lee; sisters, Eva Stephens, Mablee (Wallace) Sutton; brothers, Albert (Ellen) Cheeks, Elbert Cheeks; daughter-in-law, Mandy Lee; sisters-in-law, Hattie Brown, Alice Mae Watson and Annie Williams; brothers-in-law, Lyman Williams, Tom Johnson and Marcus Winters; stepchildren, Rhonda Williams, Troy Pierce, Troy Hamilton, Carmitta Daniels and Brenda Hill; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at Antioch Baptist Church.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, 2007. The body will lie in state at 1 p.m. before the service at Antioch Baptist Church. The Rev. Rodney A. Lackey Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Young's Funeral Home, Gainesville