Whitney Watkins

Whitney Luckett Watkins, 32, beloved wife and mother of two, died February 14, 2007 after a courageous and inspiring battle with melanoma. Funeral services will be held at St. James Episcopal Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and internment to follow the services at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland. Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Born on June 2, 1974, Whitney grew up in the Jackson area and was an honor student at St. Andrew's Episcopal School, where she graduated in 1992. In 2005, St. Andrew's inducted Whitney in the school's Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing her considerable athletic achievements as captain of the cheerleading squad, most valuable player on the basketball team, and most valuable in track.

After high school, Whitney attended Rhodes College in Memphis, graduating in 1996. At Rhodes, Whitney was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Immediately after college, Whitney worked in marketing, first for the Jackson Zoo and later for The Tannehill Agency in Oxford. Whitney then found her professional calling transforming neglected homes into dignified gems, especially in the Fondren neighborhood in Jackson. Whitney also enjoyed volunteering her time for others, serving on the board of directors of Bookfriends, and as a member of the Junior League of Jackson.

In 2006, Whitney's other alma mater took the extraordinary step of awarding her with a, Strength and Courage Award, in recognition of Whitney's incredible battle with cancer. Whitney earned that award for defining her illness, rather than letting it define her. She did not choose to withdraw, complain, or engage in any form of self-pity. Instead Whitney chose to live-to enjoy life and to take advantage of the blessings she did have. In doing so, she set a marvelous example for her two young children, and compelled countless others to live better lives. Whitney was the best wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend a person could ever have. She never met a stranger, and whether black or white, rich or poor, handsome or ugly, Whitney saw the good in all. It was no effort it was just her nature. Her untimely passing leaves a tragic void in this world.

Whitney is survived by her husband, Jason; her four-year old son, Web, and two-year old daughter, Douglas; her parents, John and Anne Robin Luckett of Ridgeland; her sisters and their husbands, Kelli Knouse (Randy) of Ridgeland, Brandi Sanders (Danny) of Tupelo, and London Simpson (Joseph) of Ridgeland; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, David and Susan Watkins of Jackson; brother-in-law, David Watkins, Jr. of Los Angeles; five nieces and nephews; and countless people lucky enough to call Whitney friend.

The family gives thanks to all of the wonderful people who have supported it, and especially Whitney, during this difficult time. The family would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Ruth Fredericks, whose compassion and presence in helping Whitney and countless others with their illnesses redefines the word doctor.

The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials please make them to the Melanoma Research Foundation, CaringBridge.org, or the St. Andrew's School Office of Institutional Advancement.