Verle Watkins

Verle C. Watkins, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born March 11, 1924, in Moville, Iowa, to John and Fannie Vaught Watkins. He and Carna Gaines were married Nov. 19, 1943, in Sioux City, Iowa.

Watkins owned and operated Cape Furniture Manufacturing 28 years. He was a consultant for many major automobile companies and worked for Tri-Con Industries. He also did upholstery work for Saint Francis Medical Center as recently as Dec. 8, 2009.

He had been a member of First General Baptist Church, where he was a longtime deacon and usher. He later joined Cape First Church.

Survivors include his wife, Carna; two sons, John (Carolyn) Watkins of Sedgewickville, Mo., Rick (Jennifer) Watkins of Crossville, Tenn.; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Watkins of Southaven, Miss.; five grandchildren, Rochelle (Danny) Dickens and Renee (Steve) Grim of Sedgewickville, Lori (Brian) Wolf and Angie (Chris) Couch of Southaven, Cody (Stacia) Watkins of Nashville, Tenn.; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Randy Watkins; eight brothers and eight sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Gary Brothers, Charles Lance and Dean Jaggers officiating. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery at Zalma, Mo.

Memorial contributions may be given to American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.