Fisher and Watkins Obituary

Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home has been proud to provide community members with high-quality funeral planning since its doors opened. Their experienced staff is dedicated to helping guide families through all funeral planning steps – from casket selection to memorial services.

Dr. Edward Deutsch was a visiting fellow of Goldsmiths College and contributed as an editor for Zero Books and Interference; additionally, he served on Edinburgh University Press’s Speculative Realism series editorial board as an editorial board member. Additionally, he published several books, such as Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative?

Mary Jane Watkins

Mary Jane Watkins, 80, of Daingerfield, passed away on January 2, 2019, at Titus Regional Medical Center in Naples. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Cason and a retired nurse for Titus Regional. Additionally, she served on the Spring Hill Cemetery board and was a time volunteer for Nail-Haggard Funeral Home. Mary Jane leaves behind daughter Lisa Wagner; sons Ralph and Mark Watkins; sister Nancy Flynn; brother-in-law Ronald MacDonald; and many nieces and nephews to mourn her passing.

They married John Henry Watkins in 1817 and had three children together: Mary Ann Damon, Elizabeth Lowder, and Isabella Graves. Isabella Graves taught in public schools in Iowa and New York before serving as a nurse in the Army during the Civil War.

Once her husband died, she moved to Nebraska, eventually settling in Danville and teaching and nursing until retirement. Later, she moved to Florida, where she lived in a nursing home until her death and was interred at Highland Burial Park.

Mary Watkins was born in Windsor, England, to Charles and Esther Starkey and died October 14, 1897, of unspecified causes at Wiseman’s Ferry in Australia.

As part of the Covid-19 pandemic, we must remember those who have lost loved ones. One effective way of doing so is sending flowers – that way, your sympathies will reach the deceased’s family appropriately and respectfully.

Beyond flowers, there are other ways you can show your condolences during this difficult time. Please donate to the hospital or food bank; your money will help them provide vital services in their community.

Mary was an esteemed wife and mother, deeply beloved by her family, friends, and neighbors. Her kindness, generosity, and love of family will always live on in those who knew her; their memories will last a lifetime. Mary always smiled brightly to make others happy, cherishing memories with daughters, granddaughters, great-grandchildren & great-great grandchildhood will remain.

Waverly E. Watkins Sr.

Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home of Danville, Virginia, has been family-owned for over 100 years, providing a wide range of funeral arrangements, cremation services, and memorial options such as grave markers and monuments for families and individuals in Danville. Additionally, Fisher and Watkins also have an onsite casket shop.

Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home stands out among funeral services by being one of the few facilities capable of hosting large groups. Their spacious chapel can hold over 500 people comfortably, and their team can help plan an event from start to finish.

Funeral homes take great pride in helping individuals and their loved ones through difficult times, with services including funeral directors and chaplains on staff to assist you with arrangements for funerals or memorial services.

This obituary has been compiled using public records and may include social security number, date of death, address, occupation, birthplace, burial date, relatives, children, and other pertinent details. This obituary forms part of Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home’s free online collection of obituaries available to the public.

Janis Fisher leaves behind her loving husband of 68 years, Jimmy; sons Ronald and James Fisher as well as their daughters Gwendolyn Yvonne Venable Farrington of Greensboro, NC, and Cassandra Monique Venable of Danville, VA; granddaughters Michelle McInnis, Jennifer McCaslin, and Samantha Smith all from Danville VA; great-grandsons Travis Godbey from Bonham, Joshua Watkins of Columbia Maryland Ryan McInnis Denison TX Eric McInnis Seattle WA; sister Rosetta Johns Ferguson both of Danville VA; brothers Donald Stockton of Durham NC Robert C.and Nellie Minter Davis from Pittsylvania County VA as well as many loving relatives and friends from Pittsylvania County Virginia as well.

Earl William “Bill” Fisher Jr.

Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home will open their Fletcher location, at 81 Little Fox Lane, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday from 1-3 to 6- 00 PM for visitors to attend services led by Reverend Cecil Lohr and Reverend Gerald Deffenbaugh before interment in Highland Burial Park. Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home has handled arrangements for this event.

An unexpected loss can be devastating for family and friends. A funeral service provides necessary closure for those affected, yet may only serve to begin collective mourning processes. Furthermore, funerals often act as an avenue for discussing complex issues related to their lives and deaths.

Earl was not only successful professionally but was an active member of his community as well, serving in multiple capacities. He was a member of Sipesville Church of the Brethren, Boswell American Legion, and Jenner Rod & Gun Club – having served in both armies as a veteran and a police officer.

He was an avid sports fan and delighted in spending time with his grandchildren. An outstanding cook, he would make every meal count. Additionally, he loved taking trips to the beach and exploring nature, he was an undeniably kind and generous individual whom we all will miss dearly.

Earl was born to William and Nettie Compton McElrath of Asheville in 1934. While growing up there, he excelled in many activities: athletics and music (he played trumpet for the New Hampshire State high school orchestra); fishing; working on cars as an expert mechanic; enjoying golf and fishing – as well as being a devoted member of Central United Methodist Church in Asheville and loved to do both! Earl leaves behind his wife, Linda Truncer McElrath; sons, Ed McElrath (Linda) and Bill McElrath (Connie). Grandchildren Evan Morgan (Kelly), Taylor Miller (Josh), Payton McElrath.

Rhonda Jane Stairs

Rhonda Jane Stairs, 56, of Somerset, died Friday at her residence. Born December 26, 1958, to James and Bonnie (Nichol) Watkins in Somerset Township, Rhonda attended Christ Casebeer Evangelical Lutheran Church as an active member. Additionally, she made homemaking her career. Rhonda leaves behind her husband, Donald Conrad; daughters Stacy Lantz of Hollidaysburg and Adam Stairs from Belle Vernon; stepdaughter Chelsey Conrad of Carroll Town; sister Lorna Davis from Ohio; and nieces Amy Weimer Cook with son Finnian Charles from Hollidaysburg as well as Brook O’Roark with sons Matthew and Jeffrey O’Roark from Belle Vernon.

Funeral Services will be conducted Monday at 2:00 PM at Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor with Rev. Paul Bateman officiating, followed by burial at Highland Burial Park. Friends may call from 1:30 to 2:00 PM Monday in the funeral home.

The family would like to express its sincerest thanks to all who provided care and comfort for Mrs. Shantae, especially those at In Touch Hospice House during her illness. Donations may be made directly to In Touch Hospice House instead of sending flowers; online condolences may also be left at Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home, 707 Wilson Street, Danville, VA 24540