Ruby Maude Watkins, 94, of Clarkston, passed away April 30, 2013, at Serenity Place in Lewiston. She was born April 15, 1919, to Olive Everson Pederson and Sigurd Peter Pederson in Anatone. She was born 2 miles southwest of Anatone in a three-room tar paper shack to Norwegian parents. She was full-blooded Norwegian. She graduated from Anatone High School in 1937 and later graduated from Kinman Business College in Spokane. She was insistent that her two sons receive a college education.
Ruby married Pat Watkins June 25, 1938, in Clarkston. She cooked at Anatone school for several years and raised Registered Black Angus cattle with her husband Pat. She could often be found working side by side with her husband in the fields. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed doing it. She ran a grocery store in Anatone for 21 years. Ruby would often close the store when there was a family displaced by a fire or when other people needed her help. She was also very active in sports and the school dramas.
She was a life member of the Methodist Church, a life member of the Grange, belonged to Pollyette Club in Anatone, was in the Womens Society Christian Service, and the Washington Cattleman Association. She was also the Amway Salesperson of the Year and sold Avon for 20 years.
Ruby is survived by her sons, Roy Watkins and Mary of Clarkston, Darrel Watkins and Barbara of Aloha, Ore.; brother John Pederson of Spokane; sisters Pearl Crocker and Jewel Knight, both of Spokane; granddaughters, Hilari Anderson of West Seattle, Joslynn Anderson of Las Vegas, Lisa Hoffman of Spokane, Vicki Svedin of Tempe, Ariz.; and seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Pat Watkins; brother Lester Simpson; sister Opal Graham; granddaughter Teka Watkins and grandson Russell Watkins.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has already taken place. The Rev. Dallas Dodd of Anatone will be the officiant.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Asotin/Anatone Scholarships or the American Cancer Society.
Please sign the online guest book at www.merchantfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the staff at Serenity Place in Lewiston for the wonderful care that she received while she was there.
