Col. R. H. Watkins, one of Lauderdale's aged and respected citizens, died suddenly at his home in Ripley on December 7. He was buried in Maplewood. The 76-year-old native of Virginia, reared near Richmond, was a graduate of West Point. He was commissioned a colonel in the CSA in 1861 and was placed in command of Harper's Ferry. He has been a citizen of Ripley since 1882, a member of the Christian Church for 17 years, and a charter member of the Ripley Christian Church. He is survived by his wife.
Additional information from submitter: his wife isn't listed on the Maplewood Cemetery list, probably because she doesn't have a stone. Her obit: Dec. 21, 1900 - Mrs. Lucy A. Watkins (widow of Col. R. H. Watkins whose death was reported last week) died Wednesday morning at the home of her sister, Mrs. W. R. Miller in (Ripley) after a prolonged illness. She was a member of the Christian Church, and was superintendent of public instruction in Lauderdale County for several years. She was buried in Maplewood.
