Shirley Watkins

Shirley Theresa Rome Watkins, 85, a native and resident of Houma, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Chauvin Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until funeral time Thursday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church, with burial in St. Francis de Sales Cemetery No. 2.
She is survived by her sons, J. Louis ""Bubba"" (Rosemarie Hertwig) Watkins III, William S. ""Bill"" (Elizabeth Spence) Watkins, Richard L. (Debbie LeBlanc) Watkins and James M. ""Jimmy"" (Tammy Haydel) Watkins; daughters, Mrs. Eric (Mary Kay) Waguespack and Mrs. Stephen (Evelyn Mary) Ballentine; grandchildren, Rebecca Waguespack Jennings, Dr. Dennis Waguespack, Louis ""Bubba"" Watkins IV, Stephanie Watkins, Erin Watkins Klingman, Sarah Watkins Triplett, Katie Watkins Champagne, Leah Watkins, Richard Watkins Jr., Mitchell Watkins, Dr. James Matthew Watkins Jr., Jacob Watkins, Mary Catherine Watkins, Allie Ballentine, Lauren Ballentine, Josh Ballentine, and J.J. Ballentine; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Hon. Judge J. Louis Watkins Jr.; parents, George Homer Rome and Agnes Alice Gaudet Rome; brothers, Maurice, George Jr., Harding and Gerald Rome; and sisters, Virgie Broussard and Margaret Kohnke.
Shirley embodied the essence of a true Southern woman. Always centering her affection on her husband and family, her greatest pleasure in life was to gather he entire family to mark the celebrations of all the holidays, especially Christmas.
Her role as a mother and wife was exemplary and built on the solid foundation of her Catholic faith. Her Catholic life was totally spent inside the walls of her beloved St. Francis de Sales Cathedral from baptism to her funeral.
While diminutive in stature, her ability to balance the challenges of raising six children, coupled with her efforts supporting many charities, only served to manifest the theory that dynamite comes in small packages. Anyone who had even a cursory chance to witness her in action would testify to her speed, energy and dogged determination.
Her unique ability to channel her love for all of God's creations, along with her drive and persistence, allowed no limit in what she would accomplish. Organized and detailed, even a coffee klatch would come with designated seating and, of course, a nameplate at your place.
The seasons or nature's constant change of color could never sneak up on her. Even if there were an incredibly random ice storm, she would be readily available to don the proper accessories of shoes and handbag, only accented with the proper shade of nail and toe polish, in the proper hues of white, blue and a dash of sparkle.
She was born the 11th child of George Rome and Agnes Gaudet in 1928. She was born on Sept. 9, her father's birthday. In her words, ""Having been born on my father's birthday made me an extra special baby, and being the youngest in the family gave me many special privileges. From what I was told by my family, I was a beautiful child, but very spoiled.""
That ""privileged"" childhood was colored by the death of three sisters and one brother before she was born. Her father died when she was 16 years old, before her high school graduation. During this time, her four brothers were at war, and one was a POW. Her two sisters were married and not living at home. She survived his death with only her mother.
The only paying jobs she ever had were at a local bank, the draft board and at the Clerk of Court's Office. She always assumed the ""job"" of being a mother and wife was the best job of all. That approach is what drove her to raise her family and wed her high school sweetheart, Louis Watkins, Jr. She described her wedding as one of the happiest days of her life, and that bond has never wavered. To any who know here, her love for Louis was unassailable, unwavering and as deep as her soul. After his death, she slept with a picture of him, next to any bed she was in across the country.
Her faith, love for family and desire to help other people were rooted in her deep sense of humility. Her words again, ""After being a wife and mother for so many years, I have always had a feeling of inadequacy. Not from my wifely and motherly duties, but in spite of them. I never had a chance for a college education, and I've always had a hunger for knowledge and learning. My husband and all of my children have college degrees, and some have graduate degrees. This has always left an inadequate feeling in me. Over the years with the help of the Lord, I have looked and found fulfillment to fill this void, in doing so many things I couldn't do with all the obligations I had at home. I try to use my gifts with my family, my church, my friends, my community, the people I meet and last but not least to give service to God for all that he has given to me.""
This obvious humility and her inherent power to love have coupled as powerful ammunition to make things better in any way that she could. Her successful life in family, community and religion will serve as her legacy. This resume of her life and the impact of her love made the world better and will keep her memory burning brightly.
She led an exemplary life of faith, love and charity. In the death of Shirley Watkins, many charity, welfare and social organizations have lost a faithful worker and supporter for their efforts.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following charities, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Food Bank of Houma, TARC and Terrebonne Lafourche Right to Life.
To send condolences please visit www.chauvinfuneralhome.com.
Chauvin Funeral Home in Houma is in charge of arrangements.