Geneva Watkins

Mavis Geneva Watkins passed away at her home on Friday, March 7, 2025 surrounded by family.

Geneva was born September 11, 1932 in Blunt, Alabama to Clyde and Gladys Doss. She met and fell in love with Odell Watkins for 69 years they would raise 5 children, provide for their family and grow old together until his death in 2017.    Geneva ‘s life in the Pascagoula Pentecostal church now called The Sanctuary of Pascagoula, began at the age of 12 and for the next 80 years she remained faithful. Pastors came and went but her calling and faithfulness to God and the church never wavered.  She took care of her children, and using her seamstress skills to make extra money. Once her children were in school, she began working for the Pascagoula School District working her way up to cafeteria manager.  She was a woman of extraordinary faith and was faithful to her family as well, covering them with prayer daily. Our hearts are saddened by her passing but we rejoice knowing her journey is now complete and she is reunited with family on the other side.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by  a daughter, Sara Watkins Anglin, great-granddaughter, Breanna Faith Pope, son-in-law, Dean Gabbard, siblings, Juanita Comans and Wesley Doss.

She is survived by her children, Sharon (Steve) Pope, Darlene Gabbard, Dennis (Lisa) Watkins, and Martha (Steve) Amason; 8 grandchildren, Genny (Brett) Diem, John (Amanda) Pope, Marvin (Dolly) Pope, Melvin (Anna) Pope, Rita Conley, Nicholas Watkins, Crystal (Jonathan) O’Brien and James ( Virginia ) Amason; 15 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren and 1 more soon to arrive; one sister, Doris Ragsdale and numerous nieces, nephews and her Sanctuary family.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at The Sanctuary of Pascagoula Church from 10:30-11:30. The Funeral Service will follow at 11:30 with Rev. Randy Pate officiating.  Interment will conclude at Serene Memorial Gardens.  Serving as pallbearers will be Marvin Pope. Melvin Pope, Christian Pope, James Amason, Warren Bosarge and Nick Watkins.

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to The Sanctuary of Pascagoula Church, P O Box 2211 Pascagoula, MS 39569.

Special Thanks to Deaconess Hospice of Biloxi, Nurse DeNazia, Aide, Bianca and chaplain Rev Joshua Wise for the kindness and care shown to her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geneva Watkins, please visit our floral store.