Estelle (Deramus) Watkins

Estelle Deramus Watkins, affectionately known as “Meadow” since childhood, was born on October 22, 1943, to Lonnie and Rosie Lee Deramus in Verbena, Alabama. She departed this life at the age of 81 on October 16, 2025.

On September 19, 1959, Estelle was united in holy matrimony to her beloved Jerry Watkins, Sr. Their union was a testament to enduring love, faith, and partnership, spanning 63 beautiful years until Jerry’s passing

on February 25, 2023. Together, they built a life rooted in devotion to each other, to their six children, and to God. Though their son Brian preceded her in death, Estelle carried his memory tenderly in her heart every day.

Estelle’s life was a living sermon of grace, humility, and service. Her spiritual journey began early at Holy Ghost Mission in Marbury, Alabama, and blossomed into a lifelong commitment to faith. For over three decades, she and Jerry were faithful members of Resurrection Catholic Church, where Estelle found immense joy in singing in the choir. Her voice, lifted in praise, was not just music, it was ministry. Even on the morning of her final illness, she sang with the same passion and reverence that had defined her worship for years. She was also a proud and active member of the Apostles of Resurrection, serving with quiet strength and unwavering dedication.

Though Resurrection was her spiritual home, Estelle’s heart was deeply connected to Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church and was a foundational part of the spiritual heritage from her mother, Rosie Lee Taylor. She cherished every homecoming, revival, and celebration, and in her later years, she returned to Shady Grove for Bible study and Sunday worship. Her presence was embraced with love—Pastor Mitchell affectionately called her “Mama Watkins,” and her dear friends Mabel Richardson and Gail Cunningham, her “young BFFs,” made sure she never missed a Wednesday night gathering, even driving her so she would not have to travel alone.

Raised on her father’s farm, Meadow learned early the values of hard work, generosity, and community. She delighted in tending her garden and sharing its bounty with others, a simple act that reflected her lifelong commitment to nurturing those around her. Her professional journey was as rich and varied as her spirit: she helped her father on his farm and by transporting and paying farm workers, drove a school bus, cooked in restaurants, became a licensed cosmetologist and owner of Meadow’s Klassic Hair Designs for over 30 years, and served as a certified CNA for the State of Alabama Home Health until her retirement. Yet, her most profound work was always in service to others—visiting the sick, comforting the elderly, and volunteering weekly at St. Jude’s food pantry until her health no longer allowed.

Of all her roles, Estelle’s greatest joy and purpose came from being a mother. Her love for her children was fierce, tender, and unwavering. She poured her faith into them, praying that the spiritual foundation she built would carry forward for generations. Her daily Mass attendance, her prayers, and her acts of kindness were all expressions of a soul anchored in Christ—a soul that weathered life’s storms with grace and resilience.

Estelle leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service that will echo through generations. She is survived by her devoted children: Jerry (Yadira) Watkins, Jr. of San Diego, California; Rosemary Ellis of Bonita, California; Carolyn (Byran) Speigner of Clanton, Alabama; Jacqueline Watkins of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Lori Watkins-Smith of Prattville, Alabama. She is also remembered with love by her sisters, Carolyn Miller of Worcester, Massachusetts and Sadie Tyus of Verbena, Alabama; her brothers, Jerry (Diane) Taylor of Verbena, Alabama, and Robert Motley of Worcester, Massachusetts; and her brothers-in-law, Mack (Carolyn) Hall of Americus, Georgia, Charles Hall, Joe Hall, and Joseph Hall of Montgomery, Alabama.

Her legacy continues through her grandchildren—Charisse, Gregory, Paul, Porsha, Carlieta, Sir Llonee, Laviette, Chole; her great-grandchildren—Tyler, Trenycia, Isaiah, Levi, Cameron, Noah, Carmen, Kaye, Jeremiah, Brooklyn, Cali, Charlie, Cole, Cheyanne; and her great-great-grandchildren—Aiden and Princeton. She also leaves behind a host of cherished relatives, friends, and church family who were touched by her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering faith.

Estelle Deramus Watkins lived a life of purpose, compassion, and grace. She was a mother to many, a friend to all, and a servant of God in every sense. Her memory will forever be a blessing, and her legacy will continue to bloom in the hearts of those she loved.

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