Mary Beth Watkins

Mary Elizabeth “Mary Beth” Woodward Watkins, age 100, passed away on May 16, 2025 at Langdale Place in Valdosta, Georgia. Mary Beth was born in Greenville, Florida, on October 24, 1924, to the late John Capers Woodward Sr. and Mary Prince Woodward. She graduated from Valdosta High School, Class of 1942.

Mary Beth met the love of her life, Horace Watkins, when he was stationed at Moody Air Force Base. They were married on May 29, 1943, just before he shipped out for service in World War II. Horace had a distinguished career as an Air Force pilot, and over the next 25 years, Mary Beth moved her family to ten different homes across the globe as a devoted Air Force wife. Among the places they lived were Jackson, MS; Mobile, AL; Tripoli, Libya; Warner Robins AFB, GA; Springfield, VA; Fort Worth, TX; Fairborn, OH; Hong Kong, BCC; Bangkok, Thailand; and Columbus, OH. Mary Beth made it her mission to find a church home for her family at each new location.

While living in Hong Kong, she learned the art of Chinese cooking and later taught classes through the Valdosta State Continuing Education Program. She also took part in a mission to serve and teach Chinese children in rooftop schools.

Following Horace’s retirement from the Air Force, the couple returned to Valdosta, where Mary Beth pursued her passion for music. She studied organ at Valdosta State College and graduated in 1974 with a degree in Music. She played piano at Rotary Club meetings and other community events, often preparing medleys of patriotic songs that were always a favorite. She also served as an organist for many area churches until macular degeneration began to affect her vision in the mid-1990s.

Mary Beth was an active member of the Book Review Club of Valdosta, United Methodist Women, and the Withlacoochee Bird Watchers. An avid birdwatcher and nature lover, she took trips with the birding group during migration season to places such as Cumberland Island and Dauphin Island. As her eyesight declined, she deeply missed her feathered friends, once lamenting, “I can’t see my birds anymore.”

Mary Beth also enjoyed playing bridge and was a long-time member of the Valdosta Duplicate Bridge Club. She was part of a regular foursome that played weekly, and they arranged bridge weekends to the beach or the mountains several times a year.

Having an adventurous spirit, Mary Beth embraced extra travel after being widowed. She often shared accommodations with her cousin and close friend, Evelyn Poindexter, as they explored exotic destinations like Hawaii and Portugal.

Mary Beth had a wealth of practical skills and was the perfect person to call in life’s challenging moments—from a snake in the drain to car trouble to household repairs—she always had a solution. She had a great sense of humor, a talent for remembering jokes, and a special gift for crafting rhymes to mark occasions like a friend's birthday or a retirement celebration.

Mary Beth loved people and loved serving them. She often invited servicemen to holiday meals when they were away from their families. A gracious hostess and an exceptional cook, she was quick to whip up a homemade chicken pie or pound cake for a new neighbor or a friend in need of comfort. She will always be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and radiant smile.

Mary Beth lived a rich, full life—one truly worth celebrating—and she will be deeply missed.

Her children extend their heartfelt thanks to Langdale Place, Hospice of South Georgia, and the special caregivers who helped care for our mother.

She is survived by her children: Rebecca (Jerry) Hutchins of Boone, NC; David (Vicky) Watkins of The Villages, FL; and Mary Watkins Campagna of Valdosta; six grandchildren: Lisa Kaenzig (Chris), Crystal Kaenzig Jordan (Mike), Catherine Campagna Rouse, Jessica Watkins Wolfe, Will Barbour (Hayley), and Josh Campagna (Natalie); fifteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mary Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Watkins; her son, Dan Watkins; two sisters, Dorothy “Dot” Woodward Stanaland and Helen Woodward Gayle; her brother, J.C. Woodward; and her nephew, Ben Stanaland.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mary Beth may be directed to Hospice of South Georgia; the Music Ministry Fund of the First Methodist Church of Valdosta, or to a memorial fund for Mary Beth at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, Boone, North Carolina. To donate visit the website https://www.danielboonenativegardens.org

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., with a memorial service to be scheduled at a later date.