Mary Kathleen Watkins

Mary Kathleen Collum Watkins Mary Kathleen Collum Watkins, 86, of Austin, died Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Kathleen was born April 30, 1922, in Aspermont, Texas, to George Willis and Myrtle Collum. After graduating from Stephenville High School in 1939, she attended Tarleton State College from 1940 to 1942, where she graduated as Valedictorian and was elected Miss Tarleton. While majoring in Music and Piano, she met James Howard "Tid" Watkins of San Saba, Texas. On June 1, 1943, Kathleen married Tid on graduation day at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. She is survived by her sister Evelyn Daniel of Abilene, sons Michael, Jim, and Daniel of Austin; their wives Cheri, Taylor, and Bonnie; daughter Janet Jendron and husband Bob of Chapin, South Carolina; eleven much loved grandchildren; and five cherished great grandchildren. Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband James Howard Watkins and son Russell Edwin Watkins. Kathleen was a dedicated military wife. She kept the home fires burning and thriving. Moving from duty station to duty station innumerable times, she handled four children and household moves with equanimity and quiet competence. On Kathleen and Tid's retirement from active duty, they settled in Austin, Texas. Kathleen continued to pursue her musical vocation. As a piano and voice teacher, she taught thousands of students - adults and children. Loved by her music students, she became part of their families. Many people will remember Kathleen's music - her singing voice that turned heads at sports stadiums when she sang the Star Spangled Banner, and her Chopin piano waltzes that drifted on the air of any house where she lived. She played many instruments in the college symphony band, and also for her father, an award-winning high school band director. At the core of her life was love of God and family. She was much beloved "K" to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Throughout her life, Kathleen personified what the poet has written: "A mother's heart is a deep abyss, at the bottom of which there is always forgiveness". A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she will be missed, but never forgotten. A visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 26, 2009, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.