Charlotte Jean Watkins passed away on November 15, 2008 at the Aldersgate Health Unit, in Topeka, Kansas. Charlotte Jean Cockerill was born at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka on February 6, 1919. She graduated from Frankfort Kansas High School in 1937, attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, and graduated in 1942 with a degree in home economics from Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in Manhattan. In 1943 she married Charles B. Watkins, also of Frankfort. They traveled extensively during Charlie's time as a pilot in the Naval Air Corp, but eventually settled and spent the rest of their lives in Kansas. Charlie's career in education spanned 34 years and included positions as high school coach, principal, superintendent of schools and guidance director for the State of Kansas. Charlie, Charlotte and family lived in Holton from 1959 to 1967 and then she and Charlie retired back to Holton in 1984. He died in 1988 and Charlotte moved to Aldersgate Village in 2000. Charlotte loved sewing, reading and music. She played the piano her whole life and was known to entertain her family regularly through her love of music. Charlotte possessed a deep faith and poured herself into the lives of the churches wherever she lived, including the First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, Kansas and the First United Presbyterian Church in Holton, Kansas. She was an active member of the Music Club, Beck-Bookman Library, Tourist Club and PEO in Holton and was an active participant in events at Aldersgate, including the Aldersgate Singers, hand chime choir, line dancing, yoga, exercise class and Bible Study. For much of her life, Charlotte taught piano and raised her four children: Victoria Jean Haag (husband Jack), a registered nurse and a family therapist, who owns FirstStep Counseling in Wichita, Steven Charles Watkins (wife Barbara), Medical Director of the Cotton – O'Neil Ultrasound Lab in Topeka; David Walter Watkins (wife Karen), an architect and co-owner of Arrington Watkins Architects in Phoenix, Arizona; and Brian Keith Watkins, Web and Technology Manager with Scottsdale Insurance Company in Scottsdale, Arizona, who inherited his mother's considerable musical talent. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Charlotte was a woman of great character, unconditional love, infectious humor and unwavering compassion, who people often describe as "such a sweet person" She was the best mom, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend that one could hope for and we will deeply miss her. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Celebration of her life at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 28, 2008 at the Mercer Funeral Home, 1101 West Fourth, Holton, Kansas, and a Memorial Reception at 3:00 PM the same day at Aldersgate Village, Wesley Hall, 7720 Southwest Asbury Drive, Topeka, Kansas. Inurnment will be at Holton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Charlotte are encouraged to make a donation to FirstStep Foundation or Aldersgate Village Good Samaritan Fund, both in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, Kansas.