Josephine "Jo" Carlos Watkins

Mrs. Josephine “Jo” Carlos (Shults) Watkins, age 92, of Temple passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025. She was born in Rotterdam, New York on April 12, 1933, and grew up in Schenectady, New York.

Jo's early life was marked by both hardship and resilience. After the tragic loss of her mother, the late Florence Louise Kaley, and the subsequent effects of trauma on her father during World War I, Jo was placed in the care of Vanderheydan Hall Orphanage in New York at just three years old. It was at the age of ten that she was reunited with her father, the late George Shults, and the woman she came to love as her mother, the late Edna Shults. In addition to her parents, Jo is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold Watkins I, and three sons, Harold Watkins II, Randall Watkins, and Michael Watkins, alongside her sisters and several brothers.

Throughout her life, Jo embraced her gypsy spirit, traveling extensively with family and working in various roles across the country from New York to California. Her diverse career included positions with the California Phone Company and Paramount Pictures. However, it was here in Temple that Jo truly made her home and left a lasting legacy. She dedicated many years to the Speedy Convenience Store in Temple during the 1970s and 80s, where she was a positive influence for many in the community, especially the school kids that stopped in daily. In addition to her work in retail, she owned and operated Jo's Grocery in Temple for a number of years. Jo was also a gifted artist who found joy in drawing and painting and sharing her art. Her creativity was as vibrant as her personality. Mrs. Watkins was also a beloved member of Liberty Christian Church in Temple.

Jo's family was her pride and joy. She is survived by her two sons and one daughter-in-law, Robert and Donna Watkins of Gadsden, Alabama, and Scott Watkins of Temple; three daughters and one son-in-law, Barbara Watkins, Carolyn Dermo, and Susan and Mike Ingram, all of Temple; and one brother, Bob Shults of Aurora, Colorado, 11 grandchildren; Sheree, “Tater”, Jennifer, Heather, Kimberly, Charity, Stephanie, Whitley, Taylor, Cheyenne, and Zach; 32 great-grandchildren, Brent, Morgan, Christopher, Sara, Savannah, Jillian, Jeffery, Mason, Maddux, Lauren, Lyndsey, Jenn, Matt, Laney, Lakin, Joslyn, Bryson, Billi, Baylor, Kross, Blaise, Jayden, Aubree, Brayden, Ashlynn, Stormie, Atlas, Elliot, Hayden Jo, Raven, Sebastian, and Cass. Additionally, she leaves behind special family members Pam Creason, Ryan and Liz Berry, Zana, Dorothy and Kenneth Coe, all of whom will carry her memory forward.

In accordance with Mrs. Watkins’ wishes, she will be cremated.

The family will receive friends at Victory Fellowship Church in Bremen on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M.

Memorial services will be conducted on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11A.M from Victory Fellowship Church with Pastor Phillip Wynn and Pastor Sidney Garner officiating.

Committal services will follow later Wednesday afternoon at New Hope Cemetery in Dallas beginning at 4 P.M.

Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook at www.croftfuneralhome.com.

Hutcheson-Croft Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Temple is entrusted with the arrangements.