Joyce Faye Watkins

Mrs. Joyce Faye Watkins, age 76, passed from this life on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with her children by her side. She was born to Odell & Flora McClelland on May 25, 1949. She married the love of her life on June 29, 1970, and from this union, two daughters and a son were born.

Joyce was short in stature but mighty in heart. She loved God, her devoted husband of fifty years, Carroll Wayne Watkins, and her three children. Cooking was Joyce's love language, and her biscuits were legendary. She was happiest when her family was gathered around her kitchen table. She was a nurse of 40 years, working in both labor and delivery and geriatric phys. She loved singing gospel music, sewing, reading, gardening, and playing Scrabble and cards. Joyce was known to cheat at cards; she showed no mercy. Most of all, Joyce loved spending time in the House of the Lord, worshipping with her family by her side.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Odell & Flora McClelland, her beloved husband, Carroll Wayne Watkins, her brother, Harold McClelland and sister-in-law, Eva McClelland, who she considered to be the sister of her heart.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Sabrina Johnson and her husband, Christopher Johnson; her son Carroll Wayne Watkins, II and his wife, Amy Watkins; her daughter, Hannah Watkins and her significant other Sean Oler; four grandchildren, Katherine and Brody Watkins and Jessica and Corbin Johnson; her brother Laverne McClelland and his wife, Frances McCelland, two nieces, Amanda Beaird and Michelle Morrow and their families, 4 nephews, Phillip McClelland, Rodney McClelland, Bobby McClelland and Dale McClelland, and their families.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Joyce Watkins will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Old Center Church, in Horatio, Arkansas, with Pastor Wakley officiating. Burial will follow in Old Center Cemetery under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., Friday, February 6, 2026, at the funeral home. You may leave an online condolence at www.chandlerfuneral.com, or visit Chandler Funeral Home on Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Old Center Cemetery Association, 1231 Central Road, Horatio, AR, 71842, or a charity of your choice.