Susan Watkins

DEXTER, Mo. -- Susan I. Watkins, daughter of the late Floyd James and Mattie Irene Grim Hoffman, was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., on Dec. 14, 1954. She passed away at her home in Dexter on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at the age of 57.

Susan was raised in Dexter but lived in Fredericktown, Mo., after college with her husband where they both taught school. She and her husband moved back to Dexter in 1983. She had worked with the youth music at church and was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Dexter at this time.

Susan was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. In 2004 she was chosen as Mrs. Missouri Outdoors. She was a very talented artist, interior decorator, jewelry designer, and enjoyed painting. Susan retired from the Dexter School District where she taught art at the middle school. Susan also owned and operated her own jewelry business, Blonde Jewelry.

On Nov. 30, 1974, Susan was married to Stephen L. Watkins in Dexter.

Surviving are her husband, Stephen Watkins of Dexter; two daughters, Sarah and Ty Ferrell of Sikeston, Mo., Rachael Watkins and Paul Rink of Dexter; two granddaughters, Amelia Holden and Lennon Ferrell of Sikeston; two sisters, Judy and husband Jim Cochran of Doniphan, Mo., Jane Cathey of Dexter; other friends and family.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lillian Holden.

Visitation will be held after 5 p.m. Friday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Tom Bass of Cape Girardeau and the Rev. Steve Moody of Little Rock, Ark., officiating. Burial will be in Dexter Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Stoddard County Children's Home, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841, and 18 Fore Life c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com.