Jane Merrill Scruggs Watkins was born November 3, 1933 to Katherine McPherson Scruggs and Raynor Wood Scruggs in Greenwood, MS. She was an only child until she was 12 years old, when baby brother came along, John Perry Scruggs. The Scruggs family cousins were all close and stayed her best friends throughout her life. Jane graduated from Greenwood High School and the University of Mississippi with honors. She came to work in Huntsville Alabama for Redstone Arsenal in early January 1955. She met and married James Albert Watkins Jr. in September of 1956 and has lived in Athens since 1959.
After having her three girls, Jane went to work as a teacher, finishing her masters at UAH and teaching at Calhoun Community College. Jane was an active member of First Christian Church, serving in many positions, but truly loved singing and directing the choir music, as her gift from God. She loved to read and was a long time member of the Houston Memorial Library Board, the Athens study club, and Athena League. She supported her daughters in all of their activities. Jane attended many Alabama games with her husband, Albert and was always thankful when they didn’t go into overtime. She and Albert always loved the weekends of travel and many fun times with their dear friends, the Deans, Bickleys, Walkers, Hightowers, and Woodroofs. She was always grateful for the love and friendships of the Hightower Hill gang.
Jane is survived by her 3 girls, Mary Jane (Curt Wilson), Lee Merrill (Duffy Boles) and Margaret Anne (Tom Kelly) and her brother, John Perry (Barbara). Jane often said that grandchildren are the one thing in life that is not overrated. She was able to enjoy their activities for many years through Luke (April) Kelly, Anne Merrill (James) Wilson Mason, Curtis Wilson, Raynor (Madeline), Katherine and Merrill Boles and Nancy Jane and Watkins Kelly and 3 great grandchildren. We will forever be grateful for the love of the neighborhood family (it took a village) and FCC Athens. She was a brilliant woman and wonderful wife and mother; we were blessed. Graveside service will be Sunday, November 20 at 2:00 at Athens City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church 400 W. Market St. Athens, AL
35611 or to the Alzheimer’s Association 117 A Longwood Dr. Huntsville, AL 35801.
