Mother Rosie May Watkins

WATKINS, Mother Rosie M. - Age 83, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 9:30 AM Monday, February 4, 2019 at Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3502 Lapeer Rd. with funeral service commencing at 10:00 AM Pastor Marvin Jennings, Host Pastor, Pastor Derrick Watkins, officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 9:30 AM Monday. Mother Watkins will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday with the family present from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM to receive friends. Rosie May Watkins was born October 28, 1935 in Schlater, Mississippi to the union of Bishop Willie and Littie (Pulliam) Wade. She graduated from Breisch High School in Leland, Mississippi. She later moved to Flint, Michigan in 1955 and became a member of Pilgrim Temple Church Of God In Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Leo J. Jackson. Rosie was joined in Holy Matrimony to Zeke R. Watkins on December 23, 1956. She was later employed with AC Spark Plug, a division of General Motors Corporation for 23 years. Rosie was a faithful and active member of Adams Memorial Church Of God In Christ where she served as the Church Mother, YWCC Leader, Choir President, Usher, Pianist, in the Finance Department, and most notorious for pulling out her “red comb.” Rosie was a master chef in the kitchen, known best for her hearty green beans, perfectly golden cornbread and decadent pecan pies. Her voice resonated with effortless power and grace as she sang songs like “God Specializes”, “He’s Done Enough”, “Shine on Me”, and “On Time God”. She enjoyed the challenge of completing crossword puzzles, shopping and spending time with her family while playing her favorite game, Jenga. Rosie loved God and her family, and made sure to live a life that embodied the ways of Christ. Rosie May Watkins leaves to cherish her memory: sons, Ronald (Barbara) Wolfskill of Kansas City, MO, Ventoure Watkins of Tampa, FL and Reverend Derrick (Christine) Watkins of Flint; daughters, Markeeta Watts of Piscataway, NJ, Felita (Frank) Jones of Mt. Morris, MI, Vennette (Charles) Lott and Veronica (Calvin) Johnson, all of Flint; 25 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, sister, Jurisdictional Supervisor, Mother Corene Wade-Adams of Flint; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Rosie was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Zeke R. Watkins; daughter, Rhonda M. Clarke; father, Bishop Willie Wade; mother, Littie (Pulliam) Wade; sisters, Pearlie Anne (Wade) Crawford, and Lucille (Wade) Peebles; brothers, Joe Wade, Willie Wade, James Wade and Frank Wade. The family would like to express special thanks to Nurses on the 8th Floor (South Wing) of McLaren-Flint, Shannon, Carol, Dan and CNA, Latoya; and the Nurses on the 11th Floor and family members for their care and support.

Mother Rosie May Watkins

October 28, 1935 - January 27, 2019