Joan Virginia Johnston Watkins

Joan Virginia Johnston Watkins was born November 30, 1931 in Amite, LA. On August 9, 2021, she died peacefully with her sons William and Robert by her side at the Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, LA. She resided in Hammond, LA for the last 10 years, but spent most of her life in Amite, LA. Her home in Amite was a place that hosted many things-Cub Scouts, Bridge, Amite Garden Club, Brown Bag Luncheons, Bible study, and many other events. Upon her retirement from the Louisiana Gas Service where she worked for 25 years as a supervisor, she continued to pursue her hobbies. Her favorite pastimes were bridge, quilting, pokeno, reading, needlepoint, traveling, and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed going out to eat with her friends and shopping.

Joan was a 3rd generation member of the First United Methodist Church in Amite where she devoted a great deal of time volunteering in many areas of the church. She belonged to the choir, altar guild, ladies’ guild, care team, made visits, cooked meals for shut-ins, and many other things. God has always been an important part of Joan’s life and she was a shining example of a good Christian woman.

She was also a big part of Options in Hammond. She helped anyway she could and attended most of the events. The thing she was most proud of was the bed size quilt she made each year so that Options could raffle it off in order to raise money. She will be missed by the staff and by the clients.

Devoted mother of 4 sons, Perrin J. Watkins (Ann), Robert D. Watkins (Kathleen), William C. Watkins (Patricia) and John D. Watkins.

Proud grandmother to Christopher J. Watkins Sr., Ashley Watkins Estopinal (Lenny), Jamie Watkins Bateman (Stephen), Alyce Watkins Lis (Daniel), Desiree’ Watkins Ryland (Hunter), and Wallis Watkins Woodward (Cameron).

Great Grandmother to Christopher, Jr., Caitlin, Cameron, and Cyreena Watkins; Layla, Sophie, and Grayson Estopinal; Charlie (Gabby) and Stephen (Bubby) Bateman; Mallory, Emma, and Nathan Lis; Pearl and Ruby Ryland.

She is also survived by her cousin Lucius Scott; devoted friend and caretaker of John, Deanna Savage; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, Claude V. Johnston of Birmingham, AL and Mary Porter Johnston of McComb, MS; her brother, Claude Johnston of Amite, LA; and her loving husband of 46 years, Robert Perrin Watkins of Collins, MS.

Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Ochsner in Baton Rouge, O’Neal Lane and Ochsner Main Campus for the loving care they showed while she was in their care. We will never forget how they helped make her transition to eternal life more peaceful.

A private Graveside Service will be held for the family at the Amite Memorial Gardens. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge of arrangements. For online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

In lieu of flowers, Joan requested that donations be made to Options Inc., 19362 W. Shelton Road, Hammond, LA 70401.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date for all Joan’s friends and neighbors to attend.