Bonnie Jean Harrel Watkins

Mrs. Bonnie Jean Harrel Watkins died peacefully in her home Sunday, December 1, 2024. Bonnie was born April 28, 1935, in Alexandria, LA, and grew up in Winnfield, LA. where a foundation of family, faith, friendships and love were laid. These would be recurring themes throughout her life. Bonnie graduated second in her class from Winnfield High School in 1953, where she played basketball and volleyball, was a cheerleader, was voted most beautiful and was involved in just about every club the school offered. After graduating high school with honors, Bonnie enrolled in Centenary College of Louisiana and continued her academic and leadership journeys. She traveled the world with the Centenary Choir, was a member of the honor court, a Maroon Jacket, a member of Chi Omega sorority and Vice President of the student senate. Bonnie received her B.S. in Education from Centenary and made many dear friends while there. Centenary is also where she met the love of her life, Juan. In June of 1957, after graduating college, Bonnie and Juan married and began their family life together in New Orleans, where Juan attended medical school and Bonnie began a teaching career. Her first teaching job was at Sam Barth, an all boys school in New Orleans, which may have prepared her for the next chapter of her life.  

In 1960, Bonnie began one of the great joys of her life – motherhood, welcoming Melissa, Will, Craig, Amy, and Brent over the next ten years. Eventually, sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren were added to the family, and each one was loved deeply and uniquely by Bonnie. Devoted to her family, she cherished each moment spent caring for them, making memories with them, and guiding them on their paths. She was always her happiest when her family gathered together, and you can see so much of her in not only their faces, but in how they love, lead and share their hearts and gifts with the world. 

In addition to spending her days with her beloved family and friends and engaging in her passions of painting, reading, and studying, Bonnie felt called to help others in meaningful ways. With her firm faith as a foundation, she took an active role at Noel Memorial UMC teaching Sunday school, leading small group ministries, singing in the choir and serving in administrative board roles. She was a member of the Upper Room Sunday School class for over 50 years and this is where she and Juan met the cherished friends with whom they would raise their children side by side. Bonnie also used her God-given gifts to serve on many boards and councils through the years, including being President of the Medical Alliance, a member of the Shreveport-Bossier Mental Health Board, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and as member of the Christian Leadership Center Board at Centenary. These are just a few of the ways she loved and served the community.  

One of her proudest contributions was her time at the Samaritan Counseling Center. The impactful work of the Samaritan Center, along with her own struggle with depression, inspired her to return to school at Louisiana Tech University where she received a master’s degree in counseling at the age of 54. After graduating, she completed her residency at the counseling center and served patients in a more profound way. Her compassionate care, gentle spirit, and understanding that life’s dark times can have meaning, embodied the ideals of the Samaritan ministry. In 2006, she was honored as the Samaritan of the Year, an award given to an individual who made significant contributions to human health and growth while demonstrating religious sensibility in their work. To this day Bonnie’s life continues to inspire and bless those who knew her. She has been intentional with others in so many ways throughout her life, but one of her greatest gifts was her ability to be a compassionate listener.  

Bonnie is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 67 years, Dr. William Juan Watkins; daughters, Melissa Watkins Pool and Amy Lee Watkins and husband, Paul Johnson; sons, Dr. William Harrel Watkins and wife, Beth, Craig Allen Watkins and wife, Anne, and James Brent Watkins and wife, Wendy; 16 grandchildren, Callie Pool Berry and husband, Shawn, Abby Pool Taylor and husband, Chase, Millie Pool Wilson and husband, Tim, Colton Anthony Pool, Emma Elizabeth Johnson, Anna Claire Johnson, Ella Corine Watkins, William Crawford Watkins and wife, Natalie, Isabelle Lee Watkins, William Alexander Watkins and wife, Sarah, Eliza Mason Watkins, Olivia McVeigh Watkins, Angelina Everett Watkins, William Wyatt Watkins, Isabella Grace Fertitta and Sophia Elizabeth Fertitta and 8 great-grandchildren. Bonnie was preceded in death by her father, Tracy Lee Harrel; mother, Vermelle Hyde Harrel; sister, Betty Lynn Harrel, and brother, Tracy Lee Harrel, Jr.  

The family would like to express a deep appreciation for Bonnie and Juan’s caregiver, Gwen Nash, who served Bonnie faithfully for 10 years and took such loving and tender care of her.  

Services will be held in the Sanctuary at Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, 520 Herndon St., on Friday, December 6, 2024. Family will receive visitors from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  

The family respectfully requests donations in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made to Noel Community Arts Program (NCAP), www.onrealm.org/noelumc or Centenary College Choir, www.centenary.edu/giving/give-now.