Betty Jean Watkins, 78, of Cass Street in Niles, died at 4:48 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 14, 1931 in Mobile, Ala. to Grover Cleveland Pleasant and Carlie T. (Flemming) Pleasant. She lived in this area since coming from Memphis, Tenn. in 1989.
She retired after 15 years of service from Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland) in Niles. She enjoyed sewing, and spent most of her life in Three Oaks, Mich., where she was a mother to many of the city’s children.

Survivors include her sons, Vernon L. (Sheri) Watkins of Three Oaks, David R. (Sandy) Watkins of Three Oaks and Robert C. (Patricia) Watkins of San Diego; daughters, Cathy (Mark) Gast of Niles, Annette L. (Steve) Smith of Niles, Jennifer (Billy) Marsh of Galien and Janet L. Hoover of Buchanan; sister, Inez Adkins of Jonesboro, Ark.; 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Milisa Gast Carlson, who died May 11, 2008, and several brothers and sisters.

The family will receive relatives and friends after 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2009 at Lakewood Estates on Warren Woods Road in Three Oaks.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.