Mrs. Mary Frances Watkins, age 83, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Wednesday morning, March 6, 2019, at the Hospice of Chattanooga. She was born September 21, 1935, in Dalton, GA, a daughter of the late James Columbus, Sr. and Edith Plumley Burgess. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Watkins, brother J.C. Burgess, and sister, Edna Roberts. She attended Mt. Rachel Baptist Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family, watching Hallmark movies, and going to sporting events.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Brent and Elaine Watkins, and Jim and Kay Watkins; daughter and son-in-law, Meredith and Mike Shaw, all of Dalton, GA; sister-in-law, Eva Mae Segars of Rockwall, TX; grandchildren, Jennifer Watkins, Jessica Watkins, Kaitlin and Andrew Mason, Lauren Watkins, Abbey and Bradley Grant, Gracie Shaw; great grandchildren, Michael Watkins, Cecily Mason, Dillon Rose Grant, Dallas Kate Grant. She is also survived by her best friend of 73 years, Gertrude Burns.

A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Mary Frances Watkins will be held Friday, March 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Mt. Rachel Baptist Church with Reverend Marty Greene and Phillip Cannon officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery with Michael Watkins, Andrew Mason, Bradley Grant, Jay Burgess, Chris Williams, and Bryson Williams serving as pallbearers.

Arrangements by locally owned and operated Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton, GA. (706)226-4002 "Funerals, Cremations, Cemeteries, Florists" YOUR SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOME"