Rhoda Elizabeth Watkins

Funeral services for Rhoda Elizabeth Watkins, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 1, 2017 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Watkins passed away at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born September 17, 1938, in Howell County, Missouri, to Calton King and Alice Pauline Willard King.  She was married in July, 1954, to Theodore Watkins.  On June 9, 1957, she was married to Billy Dee Abney, who preceded her in death July 20, 1990; she re-married Theodore Watkins October 6, 1991.  She collected dolls, enjoyed embroidery and kept a notebook of songs.  Mrs. Watkins was of the Pentecostal faith and was a member of Victoria Mission Church.

She is survived by her husband, Theodore Watkins; two children, Angela W. Farabee, Springfield, Missouri and Billy Dee Abney, Jr., and wife, Carmen, Springfield, Missouri; five step-children, Susie George, Havana, Arkansas, Barbara Watkins,  Paris, Texas, Wesley Watkins and wife, Marsha, Springdale, Arkansas, Sherry Watkins, Springdale, Arkansas and Brad Watkins and wife, Kim, Forum, Arkansas; seven grandchildren; thirteen step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; seven siblings, Gloria Brotherton and husband, Jesse, West Plains, Alice Jean Johnson and husband, Larry, West Plains, James Richard King and wife, Leslie, West Plains, Shirley  Kay Moritz and husband, Jim, Dora, Missouri, Don R. King and wife, Jan, West Plains, John Wayne King and wife, Donna, Yellville, Arkansas and Joe Neal King and wife, Melinda, West Plains; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two sons, Jacky Dee and Randal Alfred Abney, three brothers, Clarence, Othel and Bob King and two sisters, Deanna Vandiver and Carolyn Marie King, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Elk Creek Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.