On Sunday, August 28, 2022, Maxine Watkins was finally able, after two years, to leave her bed and walk without any fear into the gates of Heaven. She knew she never walked alone but her Heavenly Father walked beside her along with her family and friends.
Maxine was born on Tiger Mountain outside of Henryetta, Oklahoma on May 26, 1933, to Lonnie and Jesse Hall. Maxine grew up with five brothers whom she loved dearly. She spent her childhood in the Drumright and Mounds area. She had a drive and a spirit of determination. Overcoming a speech impediment, she graduated from Olive High School in 1953. After graduation, she started her work as a bookkeeper at Bartlett Collins Glass Company in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
On a blind date in February 1957, little did she know she would meet the love of her life, Lloyd Watkins. They were married just three months later on May3, 1957. They had sixty-five blessed years together that took them on many adventures, making wonderful memories. A few years later Lloyd and Maxine were blessed with a daughter, Patricia. As a wife and mother, she was unselfish, protective, and loving. Family was important to her. She took considerable pride in being a stay-at-home mom.
As much as she loved being a wife and mother, she loved being a grandmother even more. Her grandchildren brought a new spark into her life. She counted it a joy and privilege when she took care of them. And just like any grandmother, her grandchildren were the best and she was so proud of them. Her enjoyment was taking them to the library, teaching them crafts, going to their school and sport functions along with teaching them about Jesus.
Maxine had a servant’s heart. She loved serving Jesus, her family, and her church. Those that knew Maxine saw her spunk, honesty, and competitive nature. Everything she experienced brought a new sense of excitement that was infectious. She did care deeply for people. Maxine never met a stranger. Her daughter would joke that mom could get in the shortest line in the grocery store and be the last one out. Later, at home, she proceeded to tell you everything that was going on in each individual lives and now, she had a list of people that were on her prayer list. Her friends and family will miss her checking in on them.
Maxine loved to cook and felt in an honor cooking for others. She loved hosting family dinners. You would also find her quilting, embroidering, canning, decorating birthday cakes, and reading. She made it her mission that each grandchild would have a set of embroidered kitchen towels as a wedding gift. She served as 4-H leader, church secretary, board member and Sunday School teacher. As an avid sports fan, she was the Internet of facts before there was an Internet. You would find her watching the Texas Rangers, along with Tulsa, OSU and OU football and basketball.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Jesse Hall, along with her brothers, Robert, Abner, and Paul. However, Maxine leaves a legacy of her husband Lloyd, daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Les Watkins of Broken Arrow. Her grandchildren: Preslie and husband Aaron Anderson of Tulsa, Palmer Watkins and fiancé’ Rylea Vowels of Oklahoma City. Her legacy also includes step-grandchildren: Tara Watkins and husband Bruce of Newport, Rhode Island and step-grandson, Chad Watkins of Tulsa. She is also survived by her brothers Lemuel (Carolyn) Hall and Wayne Hall. Along with sister-in-laws, Sharon Paullus and Joan Hall and many nieces and nephews.
We also are so thankful for Alexis Galbraith, who was Maxine’s primary caregiver for the last two years. She loved Lloyd and Maxine as her own grandparents, and in return, Lloyd and Maxine felt as if she were part of the family. Also, a special thanks to Geraldine Chukwuoma who cared for Maxine this past year.
Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Home in Sapulpa, OK, between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday, September 1, 2022. A graveside memorial will be at 2pm on Friday, September 2, 2022, at Green Hill Cemetery in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
