Maria Chafin WATKINS

Maria Chafin Watkins

Maria Chafin Watkins departed this life on Aug. 30, 2008 at Lynchburg General Hospital. She was born on Dec. 28, 1914, to the late Rev. James F. Chafin and Mrs. Susie Preston Chafin.

Maria was preceded in death by her very loving and devoted husband, Lyman; two brothers, William F. Chafin and James F. Chafin Jr.; two sisters, Nora C. Boardley and Mary C. Duiguid and a nephew, William S. Chafin.

Survivors are a niece, Elaine C. Watson and her husband Herbert; a great-nephew, Herbert R. Watson Jr.; and a great-great-nephew, John R. Watson. Also surviving are a brother-in-law, Harold D. Watkins; Lyman's cousin, Marion T. Claiborne; and two goddaughters, Roslyn Hopton and Maria Aqueno.

Maria joined First Baptist Church of South Lynchburg at a very early age. She was honored to have been baptised by her father.

After graduating from Dunbar High School, she visited New York City and later made it her home for most of her adult life. She was a member of St. James Presbyterian Church in N.Y.

Maria retired from the New York City school system and decided it was time to go home to Lynchburg. She joined Westminster Presbyterian Church and was a faithful member until her death.

She worked with small children in New York, so it was natural to be interested in the Timothy program here. She was a member of the Committee and gave much of her free time to the program.

Maria loved her family and friends. She made some long and lasting friendships over the years. She will be sadly missed.

A funeral service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on

12 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. Interment will follow the service at Spring Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends and the cortage will assemble at the home of her niece at 4825 Carver St.

Condolences may be

e-mailed to comfuneral@

aol.com. Community Funeral Home is directing.