Murl R. Watkins

Funeral services for Murl R. Watkins, 94, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 25, 2019 at Needmore Church of God, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Watkins passed away at 5:44 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 2019 at Brooke Haven Health Care.

He was born January 19, 1925, at Dora, Missouri, to Harley A. Watkins and Julia R. Freeman Watkins.  Mr. Watkins was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  On November 4, 1949, he was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Elfie Donnoll Hill, who preceded him in death on January 11, 2006.  Before his retirement, Mr. Watkins had worked for Missouri Highway & Transportation.  He enjoyed gardening, yard work and fishing.  Mr. Watkins was a member of Needmore Church of God.

He is survived by two children, Linda Lee and husband, Ed and Joe Watkins and special friend, Jean Kinder; five grandchildren, Ginny Christian and husband, Jeff, Jenice Loftis, Mike Watkins and wife, Christina, Whitney Jo Combs and husband, Geoff and Josh Jolliff; eight great-grandchildren, Jacinda, Makinna, Dora, Evan, Dryden, Brienna, Harley, Kiah and one on the way; two great-great-grandchildren, Ember and Braidley and one on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, one granddaughter, Julie Watkins, one grandson, Anthony Jolliff, one grandson-in-law, Brad Loftis and one brother, Bernie Watkins, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Ball Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Needmore Church of God or Ball Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.