Beth Watkins

Beth Reeves Watkins

July 22, 1921 ~ June 26, 2016

Beth Reeves Watkins, 94, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2016.  She was born on July 22, 1921 in Brigham City, Utah to Charles and Nellie Hurst Reeves.

She married Max Hardy Burke on August 24, 1940.  They were divorced in July of 1949.  She married Henry James Watkins Jr. on May 27, 1954 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on July 9, 1959.  Henry passed away on January 30, 2010.

Beth was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many church capacities diligently throughout her life.  Beth loved the Lord Jesus Christ and tried to pattern her life after him.  She was an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers having come from a rich pioneer heritage.

Beth loved to tell the corniest jokes from the Reader’s Digest.  She enjoyed singing, quilting, reading, knitting hats, making the best bread on the planet, and growing and bottling all kinds of fruits and vegetables.  Beth was a diehard Jazz basketball fan and actively involved in water aerobics, even into her 90’s.  Even in the face of physical and emotional pain, she would press forward with a very positive attitude and rarely, if ever complain.

Over the years, Beth worked in several different professional capacities, but always loved it when she could focus on being a mother and homemaker.

Beth is survived by her children, Max Douglas (Marie) Burke, Linda Burke (Michael deceased) Smith, Carleton E. (Nancy) Watkins, Teresa W. (Darryl) Cash, and Richard P. (Holli) Watkins.  She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry J. Watkins Jr.; her daughter, Kathleen Burke Symes; and her grandson, Kurt Lee Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.