Deborah Jean Watkins

Deborah Jean Watkins was born on November 13, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to her parents, Stanley Lee (deceased) and D. Juanita Lee (nee Foster), the oldest of two children. She joined the Heaven Host on March 10, 2023. Deborah (affectionately known as “Debbie” with friends and family), graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1969 and completed her professional education in the city and was gainfully employed as a Paralegal for Dinsmore and Shohl LLP – Attorneys-At-Law, until her retirement.

Deborah had many talents and gifts. She liked to sew, knit, crochet, make jewelry, read, work crossword puzzles, dance and travel. She especially liked to decorate and make her home ready for the upcoming holidays. Deborah enjoyed cooking and she loved to prepare the family dinners. She enjoyed the arts such as: attending Plays, the Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Ballet and listening to the Cincinnati Symphony. She volunteered at The Aronoff Center for the Arts, and at Music Hall often during the summer.

As a youth, Deborah attended and served at St. Paul A.M.E. Church (Fairfield) well into her adulthood and eventually, moved her fellowship to New Visions United Methodist Church where she served until her passing. She served in several capacities within the church, and she consistently worked with preparing lunches for those individuals who took part in Habitat for Humanity Program that built homes for families in the community. Deborah loved the Lord and demonstrated her faith to many throughout her lifetime.

She leaves to cherish her memory: a devoted husband, Arthur Watkins, Jr., a loving mother, Mrs. D. Juanita Lee, a sister, Shirley (Joseph) Middleton and one son known as Lloyd, all of Cincinnati, Ohio; one daughter, Dorian Pearson-Shaver of Florida; a stepson, Darrick (Marlena) Watkins of Florida; one stepdaughter, Courtney Watkins and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary Dangerfield, both of Cincinnati, Ohio; Nana’s three grandchildren, Violet Pearson-Shaver, Mikayla M. Curry, both of Cincinnati, Ohio and Taylor Watkins of Florida; and a host of cousins, step nieces and nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Sandra Annette Lee; her daughter, Ashley L. Pearson-Shaver; her brother, Jerry Lee; aunts, Nancy Walker and Maron Price; uncle, Marvin Foster; and brother-in-law, James Dangerfield.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deborah Jean Watkins, please visit our floral store.