Earnest Eugene Watkins

Earnest Eugene Watkins, Cleveland resident since 1982, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at Tulsa Regional Medical Center at the age of fifty-two years, eleven months and sixteen days.

Gene was born June 18, 1950 in Ozark, Arkansas. He was the son of Earnest Jackson and Della May Watkins. He moved with his family at an early age to Kansas City, Kansas, where he was raised and obtained his education.

Upon completion of his education, Gene was employed by K. C. Boots Upholstery Shop for a couple of years before he began a career as a truck driver. He was employed for many years as a foreman for Great Lakes Container in Kansas City. After moving to Cleveland in 1982, Gene worked for Krondyke and Oklahoma Tank Lines. For the past several years, he has drove independently as a self-employed driver. He was married to Cathy Flatt on March 11, 1997 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Gene was a member of the Oakhill Church of Keystone Lake. During his younger years he was an avid hunter. He especially enjoyed golfing.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy Watkins of the home; two sons, Earnest Eugene Watkins, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri and Robert Daniel Shelton of Jennings, Oklahoma; three daughters, Dana Jean Nowlin of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Hope Loralee Godekeye of Chillicothe, Missouri and Shaynie Lynn Chaloupek of the home; five brothers, Eugene Steven Burchett of Coweta, Oklahoma, Jimmy Lee Watkins of Wagoner, Oklahoma, Dale Wayne Watkins of Lowell, Arkansas and Billy Dean Watkins of Pryor, Oklahoma and Kevin LeeRay Watkins of Cleveland, Oklahoma; three sisters, Bertha Watkins of Kansas City, Kansas, Sandy Joanne Watkins of Wagoner, Oklahoma and Diane Marie Watkins of Fairland, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren and his mother-in-law, Susie Flatt of Jennings, Oklahoma. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Alvis Jackson Watkins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, June 7, 2003 at the Oakhill Church of Keystone Lake with Rev. Harrel Jones officiating. Burial was in the Jennings Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Gene Watkins at www.chapman-black.com.''