NATCHEZ — Services for Joanna Martin Watkins, 96, of Natchez, who died Monday, June 11, 2012, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Bright Morning Star Baptist Church with the Rev. Ernest Ford Sr. officiating.

Burial wil follow at Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Webb Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Watkins was born Aug. 13, 1915, in Natchez, the daughter of Robert Martin Sr. and Nancy Coleman Martin.

Watkins was baptised and accepted Christ at an early age. She was a faithful worker. She was always singing in someone’s chior. She faithfully served at Morning Pilgrim Baptist Church. She later moved her membershop to Bright Morning Star, where she remained a loyal, fiathful and dedicated member until her health failed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loveing husband, Eugene Watkins; three brothers, Willie Gaines, the Rev. Robert Martin Jr. and Joseph Lee Martin; two sisters, Rosie Gaines Caston and Mary (Evelyn) Martin McFarland.

Survivors include one daughter, Susan Watkins Marvel; five granddaughers, Kim Watkins, Nannette Y Watkins Perkins, Nikki N. Watkins, Le’Wanda E. Marvel and Joanna Marvel; 13 great grandchidlren; 15 great-great grandchidlren; three very special cousins, Rosie Lee Bates of Chicago, Gloria Campbell Cash of Portland, Ore., and the Rev Ernest Ford Sr. of Natchez; one nephew, Robert Martin Jr. of Las Vegas; and a number of relatives and friends.