Anna Rhea Shirk Watkins died at the age of 88 in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 16. Anna was born and raised in Loudon, traveled the US as a Navy wife, and returned to East Tennessee with her family at retirement. Since late 2014, she received loving care at Greenfield Assisted Living in Oak Ridge and Maple Court Assisted Living in Powell as well as hospice care by Caris of Knoxville. She became a Jehovah’s Witness in 1975 and attended the Loudon Congregation.
Her parents, Bert and Myrtle Brackett Shirk; her husband of 40 years, William D. Watkins; and her brother William “Dub” Shirk, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Dot Alexander of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; her five children and their spouses: Ray Watkins (Linda) of Jackson, Mississippi; Sharon Redus (Kenneth) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Sandra Watson (Phil) and Ann Watts (Gary) of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Cynthia Cyrece Scott (Kevin) of Loudon, Tennessee; along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 2-4pm on Sunday, February 19 at Loudon Funeral Home, 2048 Mulberry Street in Loudon. There will be a short service starting at 4:00 pm. Burial will be at Watkins Cemetery in Loudon following the service.

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