Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

WATKINS

Flint

Goodwin

Hayes

Holmes

Lynn

McCraig

McNulty

Murphy

Sanders

Wathen

Linda N. Watkins

March 15, 1945 - Dec. 9, 2002

Linda Novella Watkins, 57, dear daughter, sister, niece, and cousin, was taken from our midst at 7:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, in Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Ind.

On March 15, 1945, in South Bend, she was born to the family of Ellis S. and Novella Hayes Watkins. Her father and stepfather, Floyd R. Flint, preceded her in death.

Linda began her Christian life at an early age at Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Bernard L. White. She was active in the youth choir and Sunday School.

Ms. Watkins attended Indiana University, Bloomington Campus, and the South Bend Campus, and was employed as a benefits manager for CNS Unisource.

Linda was a former member of the service organization Women in Motion. She was currently serving as president of the South Bend Chapter of Lachayne De Voyageurs, Inc., a friendship and travel organization.

Ms. Linda Novella Watkins leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Novella Flint; a sister, Sheila (Melvin) Holmes; an aunt, Ruth Sanders, all of South Bend; an uncle, James Hayes, of Indianapolis, Ind.; a nephew, Michael (Renee) Holmes of Dublin, Ohio; two nieces, Angela and Michelle Holmes, both of Indianapolis; a great-niece, Nicole Lynn of Dublin; six first cousins, Brenda (Anthony) Burke and Audrey (Austin) Wathen, both of Indianapolis, Robert (Kim) Sanders of South Bend, Carolyn Sanders of Harbor City, Calif., Joyce Sanders of Dallas, Texas, and Eileen Hayes of Denton, Texas.

She also cherished her younger cousins, Erica McCraig, Monica Goodwin, Kendall Sanders, Tyler McNulty, Donny McCraig Jr., Caitlin Goodwin, along with a special cousin, Alma Murphy.

Ms. Watkins was also preceded in death by her grandmother, Estella Howard; and an uncle, James Sanders.

Services for Ms. Watkins will be held at 11 a.m. today, Dec. 12, in Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, and friends may call one hour prior to the services.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary.