Arlene Purkey Watkins

ARLENE PURKEY WATKINS, age 75, of Talbott, TN passed away at 4:50 a.m. Friday, March 11, 2016 at her residence following a lingering illness. She was born May 1, 1940 to William Bryan and Maude Layel Purkey in the Alpha Community. She was a 1958 graduate of Morristown High School. She was a longtime active member of Alpha Baptist Church, and worked 30 years at Talbott Post Office as a part time clerk and postmaster replacement, retiring May 1, 1995. Preceded in death by her parents, William Bryan and Maude Purkey; sister, Christine Cantwell; and brother, Bryan F. Purkey. Survived by loving husband of 58 years, Wayne Watkins; daughter, Sharon Watkins of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Gerald Harrell of Johnson City, TN; grandsons, Kaylob William and Tristan Wayne Harrell; brothers, Joseph L. (Joan) Purkey of Knoxville, G. Keith (Treva) Purkey of Morristown, TN; sister, Alma Pierce Gann of Jefferson City, TN; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Alpha Baptist Church with Dr. Terry Kirby officiating. Family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Family and friends will gather at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Farrar Funeral Home to proceed to Sunderland Cemetery for an 11:00 a.m. graveside interment service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Sunderland Cemetery, c/o Marcella Franklin, 363 Greenbriar Road, Talbott, TN 37877. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN 865-475-3892