Martha Evelyn Rye Watkins Bourland

Martha Evelyn Rye Watkins Bourland, a lifelong resident of Aberdeen, MS, passed away on January 26, 2019. She was born to the late Luna Jane Ritter Rye and Amos Gaither Rye on April 26, 1924, in the Hamilton community. She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Robert McCluney Watkins. They had three children; Robert McCluney (Bobby) Watkins, Jr. (Martha) of Starkville, Martha Jane Gilkes (Tony) Antigua, W.I. and William Richard Watkins of Columbus, two grandchildren, Martha Amelia Watkins Morrison (Jonathan) and William Reese Watkins, and one great-granddaughter, Evelyn Elizabeth Morrison. She is survived by her husband, Leroy Clinton Bourland. Mrs. Bourland graduated from Aberdeen High School and Bowling Green Business College. She worked at the Gulf Ordinance Plant, receptionist for Dr. Dickson, and the Aberdeen Examiner. Martha held several state chairmanships within the Mississippi State Society DAR. She was a past president of the Mississippi DAR Chapter Regents Association. She was a member of First Baptist Church and attended First United Methodist Church with Clinton Bourland. The family appreciates the wonderful care our mother received at Garden Suites Assisted Living, Care Center of Aberdeen, HomeCare hospice nursers and Dr. Arthur Brown.