Everett Leonest Watkins (83) of Fayetteville, AR, died Wednesday, November 9, 2022, of natural causes. He was born in Brentwood, AR, June 4, 1939, to Milard and Delma Samples Watkins.
After high school in Greenland, Everett married his sweetheart, Deloris Ann (Doris) Smith, and moved to Fayetteville where the couple lived and raised their family. Everett, Doris, and their eldest son Steve were baptized in Tilly Willy. Afterwards, they joined the People’s Church and later transferred membership to Ridgeview Baptist Church. There, Everett taught himself to play the bass guitar by ear and used his talents to spread the gospel by singing with quartets his entire adult life, first with the Ridgeview Singers, and later with the Patriots and the Merits. Over the course of his career, Everett put over a million miles on his gas truck driving over the Boston Mountains for Mitchell Oil Company.
Preceded in death by Doris (his wife of 53 years) and his brother Lonnie Ray Watkins, Everett leaves behind a sister, Barbara Ramey, a sister-in-law, Pat Watkins, and two sons⎯Stephen Ray Watkins and his wife Ambra of Reston, VA, and Christopher Lee Watkins and his wife Cassady of Farmington, AR. He also leaves a living legacy of six grandchildren⎯Dustin, Chesney, and Bryce, and Layla, Brenner, and Cohen⎯as well as four great grandchildren: Sofia, T.J., Cayley, and Remington.
The viewing will be held at Beards Funeral Home on Monday, November 14, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at Ridgeview Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 15, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the interment at Baptist Ford Cemetery. After the graveyard service, friends and family are invited back to Ridgeview Baptist Church to share a meal and celebrate Everett’s life.
Everett was a person u don’t forget. Max and me knew him and Doris for many years. I had the pleasure of attending Ridgeview with him.
Praying for the family
EVERETT AND DORIS WERE GOOD FRIENDS WITH JOHN AND I WHEN THE BOYS WERE IN SCHOOL. WE ENJOYED GOING TO THE BALLGAMES WITH THEM. ALWAYS ENJOYED HEARING EVERETT PLAY THE GUITAR.
MAY GOD WRAP HIS ARMS AROUND YOU AND GIVE YOU COMFORT. OLLIE HOLLOWELL
We loved this man!! Know where you are and most likely playing bass guitar!!!! Bob and Sue Keene!!
Everett was always very kind to Karen and me, always a sweet soul. We loved him and his bass guitar, and will miss him dearly. We are privileged to celebrate his life and to honor his legacy, certain he is now embraced by the Lord for an eternity. Love, Karen and Brant
Great memories remain of the Millard and Delma Watkins family and Kenneth and Thelma Webb family as we all attended the Brentwood Church together. Everett Watkins and Dean Webb spent many hours together as children and teenagers.
On behalf of the Harris Dean Osborne family, we send our deepest sympathy to your family. Everett was a dear friend to HD. We will always remember his kind servant’s heart and his great musical talent. He will be missed! Praise the Lord, we will see him again.
I’ m so sorry for your loss. Everett was such a nice guy. He & my husband, George, drove for many many years together for Mitchell Oil. He’ll be missed.
Chris and Steve, and families, I am so sorry the loss of your Dad. Everett was genuine and kind soul and will be missed. I hope you find peace and comfort knowing that he is no longer ill but in the presence of Doris and other family who have gone on. While I will not be at the service know that you all will be in my thoughts. Love you.
Sorry to hear this.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Papa you will be missed and will forever be in my heart!
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Love, Earl and Rose Underhill and Kirk and Valerie Goad
I attended Ridgeview Baptist Church and worked alongside Everett on the bus. He was a kind person. I will miss him but can’t wait to see him in heaven.