Gladys Ruth Watkins

GLADYS RUTH WATKINS Graveside services for longtime Cortez resident Gladys Ruth Watkins will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 29 at Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Gladys was born January 30, 1921 in Pagosa Springs, Colo. the daughter of Cosby and Fern (Rank) Tackett. She passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2011 at Vista Grande Inn at the age of 90. Gladys married James M. Watkins in Cortez and the couple went on to share 50 loving years of marriage. The couple moved to California and in 1964 they made their home in Cortez. In her free time, Gladys enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing. Her family brought her life much happiness and joy. Gladys was a wonderful cook and she enjoyed canning. Gladys is loved so very much and she will be missed by all of her family and extended family. Surviving Gladys are her sons, Jerry Watkins and wife, Cindy of Farmington, N.M., and Robert Watkins of Cortez; and her grandchildren, Justin Watkins of Portland, Ore., Scotty Watkins and wife, Shawna of Grand Junction, Colo., Tara Topaha and husband, Angelo of Cortez, Craig Watkins of Cortez, and Stefanie Perez of Cortez. Gladys also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and by her siblings, Della Fern Wright and husband, Rigbee of Monticello, Utah, and Richard Berry and wife, Ruth of Cortez; and by her sister-in-law, Jo Berry of Albuquerque, N.M. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, James Watkins and by her siblings, Bob Berry and Myrtle Pendley.