Dr. Lamar Watkins

Dr. Lamar Watkins, 90, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, passed away Friday, May 5, 2023, at Kindred Hospice in National Park Medical Center of Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

Lamar was born October 30, 1932, in Marietta, Georgia, to Walter Edgar Watkins and Jimmie Lee Loftis Watkins.

He graduated from Central High School in Columbia, Tennessee.  After that, he came to Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.  Then, he graduated from Peabody University earning his Masters degree. 

After graduating, he came back to Ouachita Baptist College to coach football and track.  He then attended East Texas College where he earned his PhD. After earning his doctorate, he began teaching at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.

Lamar enjoyed dancing and landscaping his yard.  He was a charter member of Spa City Bop Club.  He was also a member of Elks Lodge 380.  He was proud of his service as a Captain in The U.S. Army Reserves where he retired on October 30, 1992.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Larry Watkins.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joyce Francis Watkins; his son, Eddie (Carla) Watkins; his step-son, Keith (Liz) Francis; his step-daughter, Debbie Francis; his grandchildren: Chloe and Zethra Watkins, Adam, Jesse, Alex, Dorene, Mason, Colton, Sailor and Reno Goff, Brittany Fox and her husband, Nicholas Kamas and their son, Martin Kamas and Brandon (Olivia) Francis.

Lamar’s funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Fred Hunter officiating. 

Burial will be private. 

Pallbearers are Russ Cerrato, Woody Jolly, Tommy Murphree, Ron Gallaway, Jim Stanton and Lamar Joplin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923.