Dr. C. Eugene Watkins

Funeral services for Dr. C. Eugene Watkins will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, with Rev. Lynn Malone officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.Dr. C. Eugene Watkins, born March 5, 1932, in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Home after a brief illness. Known as Gene to his friends, he served in the United States Navy and was Honor Man in Class 12, 1952 of the USN Hospital Corps School. He went on to distinguish himself by earning the first Master of Pharmaceutics degree granted by the University of Tennessee and the first PhD in Pharmacy granted by the University of Mississippi. He developed the Bureau of Pharmaceutical Services at Ole Miss, then moved on to become a respected faculty member in the School of Pharmacy at NLSC/NLU for 28 years. Gene’s interests outside of academia included Ole Miss football. He enjoyed growing roses with a passion and served for four years as Chairman of the Annual Monroe Rose Society Show. He also enjoyed The Little Theater, and the Monroe Symphony where he served for eight years as secretary of the Board of Directors. In addition, he volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy for fifteen years, and in the office of First United Methodist Church for sixteen years.Gene is predeceased by his parents, James A. Watkins and Eugenia Craft Watkins of Memphis. He leaves behind two daughters: Lisa Watkins Thomas of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and her husband Sloan; and Grace Watkins Holloway of West Monroe, and her husband Wayne. He is also survived by two granddaughters and their spouses: Staci Holloway Figueroa and Joe, Mandi Holloway Bloodworth and Trent, and a grandson, Zachary Sloan Thomas.Pallbearers will be: James Holloway, Joe Figueroa, Morris Rabb, Pat Ellington, Trent Bloodworth, and Zack Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be William Cooper and Roscoe Jones.In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to First United Methodist Church, 3900 Loop Road, Monroe, LA 71201.Spicy old man, and good Daddy.Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA