Mrs. Evelyn Jones Taylor Watkins, 85, a former resident of Washington, died Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Martin General Hospital in Williamston.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Washington, conducted by Dr. Jimmy Moore. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Washington.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Al Jones, Buddy Garris, Ronnie Jones, Greg Jones, Drew Taylor and R. J. Martin. Mike Hicks and Danny Asby will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Mrs. Watkins was born in Beaufort County on May 14, 1926. She was the daughter of the late William Edgar Jones and Minnie Caroline Jones. Mrs. Watkins graduated from Washington High School and Beaufort County Community College.

She worked at the Bank of Washington, which became NCNB and later Bank of America. Mrs. Watkins began her banking career in the Note Department and retired after 40 years of service.

Mrs. Watkins was a very active member of the First Baptist Church as long as her health permitted. She served as president of the Women’s Club of Washington and taught Sunday school for many years. Mrs. Watkins was also a member of the Eastern Star.

Mrs. Watkins was married to Joseph Rupert “J.R.” Taylor, who preceded her in death July 18, 1988. Later, she married Fred Oris Watkins Jr., who preceded her in death March 11, 2012.

She is survived by her sons, Joseph Rupert “Joe” Taylor Jr. and his wife Barbara of Bowie, Md., and their children, Jordan Renee´ and Gabriel Lynnson; Michael Gwin Taylor of Angier; Kenneth Andrew “Andy” Taylor and his wife Kathy C. Taylor of Cary, and their children, Christian Lee Taylor and children Angel Lee MacLaughlin, Ethan Daniel MacLaughlin, William Joseph Baker; Stephanie T. Martin and her husband, R.J.; Joseph Andrew “Drew” Taylor and his wife Tasha and their son Kody Ray Taylor; stepchildren, Fred O. Watkins III and wife Lynda, Frances Guilford and husband Wallace, Billy Watkins and wife Jean, Wayne Watkins and wife Kim; five sisters-in-law, Magdalene Counter, Estelle Taylor, Kathleen Taylor, Mary T. Smith and Juanita Jones; and a bounty of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Mrs. Watkins was preceded in death by four sisters, Adelaide Jones Bailey, Julia Jones Harding, Lena Jones Garris and Margaret Jones Bullock; and four brothers, Plummer Alston Jones, William Edgar Jones Jr., Arie Walston Jones and Jesse Ronald “J.R.” Jones.

The family will receive friends from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 113 N. Harvey Street, Washington, N.C. 27889.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Watkins family.