Ida B. Watkins

Ida B Wade Watkins was born March 18, 1944 in El Dorado, Arkansas to Mr. Felix Wade Jr and Mrs. Rosie Collier Wade.  She departed this life’s journey on Saturday morning, June 1, 2019, at her residence surrounded by family in El Dorado, AR.

Ida B was raised by her parents in El Dorado, AR.  There she met her husband Ernest Watkins and moved to Houston, TX and united with Mt. Horab Missionary Baptist Church.  There she was on the Pastor’s aide committee and she was a member of the Eastern Star organization.  She later united with St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Pearland, TX under the leadership of Reverend Aaron Binder. Ida B and Ernest did not have kids of their own but was fortunate enough to raise her sister Flossie’s son Maurice Smith as their very own from the time he was one month and three days old until he was an adult.

Ida B was a dedicated housewife, mother, sister, aunt and friend to many.  She loved to cook, sew clothes, dress well, watch scary movies, shop and travel.  Later in life she had a stroke which left her paralyzed on her right side and unable to speak and she moved back to El Dorado and was cared for by her family.  After her mom passed in 1997, her sister Flossie moved her back to Houston to be her caretaker. In June of 2018, Ida B moved back to Arkansas with her sister and joined Morning Star Baptist Church #2 shortly afterwards under the leadership of Pastor Felton Burgie.

Ida B Watkins is preceded in death by her husband Ernest “EL” Watkins, her father Felix Wade Jr, her mother Rosie Collier Wade and her brother Felix Wade I.

She leaves to cherish her memories; a son, Maurice Smith of Houston, TX; two brothers James Wade of El Dorado, AR and Felix Wade II of Junction City, AR; four sisters Flossie Stewart, Margie Wade, Mary Hayes and Mary Meeks all of El Dorado, AR and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A specials thanks to her nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews who all played a part in taking care of her over the years.  A special thanks to Hospice, family and friends who came by and visited during her time at home while she was sick.

Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2019, at Sims Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Morning Star Baptist Church #2. Interment at Mt Calvary Cemetery under direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com