Mary Louise Brown Watkins, the mother of a Chesterton resident, died on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010. A resident of Angola, Ind., she was 79.

She was born Dec. 26, 1930, in Defiance County, Ohio, the daughter of Ezra Clarence and Mabel L. (Jump) Brown.

On Sept. 28, 1948, in Angola, she married Larry G. Watkins, who preceded her in death in 1991.

She is survived by three sons and two daughters and spouses, Larry (Mel) and Lori Watkins of Chesterton, Rose M. (Watkins) and Gary Michael of Fremont, John and Cindy Watkins of Flint, James R. Watkins of Angola, Rebecca June (Watkins) and Terry Owens of Allen, Mich.; grandchildren, Amber (Bruce) Schwartz, Wendy Watkins, Carrie (David) Coslov, Benjamin (Lora) Watkins, Stepanie (David) Lawrence, Lazarus Hall, Caleb Rose, Nathan Rose, Abby Miller, Jessica Speicher, Adam (Jami) Speicher, Tony Speicher, Jonathan Watkins, Zachary Watkins, Jonah Watkins, Jim Cole, Terry Owens Jr., Megan Owens, and Laura Owens; and great-grandchildren, Kyle Schwartz, Jacob Hamm, Joseph Hamm, Marley LaBreck, Kelvin LaBreck, Reuben Coslov, Sylvia Coslov, Chloe Watkins, Macey Watkins, Cooper Watkins, Griffin Watkins, Emree Watkins, Shannon Hall, Dallas Quillen, Dawn Lawrence, Rebecca Hall, Gabriel Hall, Brayden Speicher, Dylan Cole, Haylee Cole, Riley Cole, Adam Owens, Autumn Owens, and Skyler Owens.

She is survived by one brother and his wife, William and Coleen Clark of Churubusco, Ind.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father; two sisters, Ercal Tuto and Annalea Brown; three brothers, Wilbur, Robert, and Ralph Brown; three daughters, Shannon Kay Watkins, DeAnna L. Watkins, Jeanie Recore; and a granddaughter, Heather Jeane Recore.

Mary was raised by her mom and step-dad, Joseph Lee Clark. She was a Weatherhead retiree and a proud member of UAW Local 1406, until the day she died. She was the official Scrabble champion of the family and took great joy in gardening, reading, and nurturing all of her family.

Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Flint Cemetery in Flint, Ind. There will be a life celebration at 7522W 50N at the river immediately after the graveside service.

Memorials may be made to the charity of donor’s choice.

Arrangements are being handled by H.E. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home of Angola.

To sign the online guest book go to www.hejohnsonfh.com