Joe Phillip Watkins passed away on August 4, 2026, at age 91. He was born February 28, 1935, in Dallas to Adam Dearmore (A.D.) and Marjorie Iola (Smith) Watkins. As a small child, his family moved to Hot Springs where he attended grade school and was a graduate of Lakeside High School. He was a multi-sport athlete and excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. He graduated from Henderson State Teachers College, now Henderson State University, in Arkadelphia with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. He was one of the first students to receive a master’s degree from Henderson State. At Henderson, he met Alice Ann Anthony, and they were married August 9, 1958.
His initial desire was to be a basketball coach. However, after having four kids, he received the opportunity to work in the family business, Anthony Hardwood Lumber Company, where he was a hardwood lumber inspector and co-owner until his retirement in 1999.
He loved cattle and was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks where he especially enjoyed basketball and football. After retirement, he became a fulltime cattle farmer and was member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hope for over 60 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Susan Kay Couch-Lane (Harlan) of Houston. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice Ann Watkins, and four children, Sandy Jester (Scott) of Hope, Phillip Watkins (Susan) of Huntsville, Arkansas, David Watkins (Jackie) of Highland Village, TX, and Steven Watkins of Shepherdsville, KY as well as 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 15th between 1 pm and 2 pm at Brazzel-Oakcrest Funeral Home located at 1001 Main Street, Hope, AR 71801. The funeral service will follow immediately at 2 pm with the Reverend Rodney Steele officiating. Interment will follow the funeral at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Methodist Family Health, formerly the Arkansas Children’s Home, 1600 Aldersgate Road Ste 100, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.