Lela Mae Elmore Watkins

Lela Mae Elmore Watkins, 95 passed away, meeting her loving Savior on September 26, 2025.

Lela was born January 30, 1930, in Black Oak, Arkansas to the late Horace Greeley Elmore and Dora Lee Justice Elmore.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Garland Watkins, son Richard (Dick) Watkins, daughter-in-law, Vicki Watkins and sister, Mary Eloise Colvin.

She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Watkins Allen (Vic) of Lebanon, TN, Grandchildren Valerie Allen Robbins (Steve) of Oakland, TN, Dr. Julie Allen Crutcher (Dr. Sam) of Bethpage, TN, Dr. David Watkins (Lauren) of Seattle, WA, and Jeffrey Allen (Lyndsay) of Collierville, TN. She is also survived by 5 Great Grandchildren, Jonah Robbins of Bartlett, TN, Cassidy Robbins of Cordova, TN, Anna Crutcher of Bethpage, TN, Isabelle Watkins of Seattle, WA and Andy Crutcher of Bethpage, TN.

Lela grew up in Lonoke County, AR where she met her high school sweetheart, Garland. They lived in various towns in Arkansas and the Mid-South before moving to Memphis (Whitehaven) in 1963. They opened Watkins Drapery & Upholstery in Whitehaven in the mid 60’s. Lela & Garland were members of LaBelle Haven Baptist Church, Broadway Baptist Church, Bellevue Baptist Church in the Memphis area, and Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN.

Lela had a love for decorating and after closing their Drapery & Upholstery business in Whitehaven, she worked for a furniture company and then retired from JCPenney at Wolfchase Galleria in Cordova after working in the drapery department. Her greatest love, after her savior Jesus Christ, was her family. There was nothing she enjoyed more than a family get together and treasured any time with her Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

In lieu of a memorial service, the immediate family will be having a time of remembrance this weekend in Lebanon, TN.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Immanuel Baptist Church 4G2C building program or the Gideons.