Deborah L. WATKINS

Rev. Deborah L. WATKINS, 69, formerly of Westfield and Elkland, PA, died Thursday, March 27, 2014 in Broad Acres Health and Rehabilitation Center, Wellsboro, PA. Born March 11, 1945, in Tonawanda, NY, she was the daughter of D. Lee and H. Lorraine Stoddard (n�©e Sereno). On July 3, 1974, in Elkland, she married Eugene Benjamin Watkins, Jr., who predeceased her in 1982. A graduate of Elkland High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master's Degree in education from Elmira College, and United Methodist ministerial credentials from Duke Divinity School. She was employed as a reporter and section editor by the Corning Leader, Editor of the Elkland Journal, professor by Mansfield University, and Director of Community Relations and Fund Development by Schuyler Hospital. In July of 2002, she was appointed pastor of the Ulysses and Genesee United Methodist Churches. In July of 2006, she was appointed pastor of the Five Star Parish, serving the Ulysses, Genesee, Westfield, Brookfield, and Cowanesque United Methodist churches, retiring in 2013. Her community involvement included serving on the Northern Tioga School Board, Seven Lakes Girl Scout Council, Elkland Recreation Authority, and the Elkland Health Center Committee. Surviving are: a daughter, Ida L. (Christopher) Shaw of High Point, NC; two grandsons, Drew Shaw and Derek Shaw; a brother, Joseph (Lisa) Stoddard of Lawrenceville, PA; nieces, Elizabeth Stoddard and Andrea (Jason) Ehrler; an aunt, Arlene Sereno of Horseheads, NY; and three step-children, Michael, Christine, and Suzanne. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a step-son, Eugene Benjamin Watkins, III. Friends may call at the Ulysses United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 PM, with a Memorial Service following at 7:00 PM. Rev. Beth Jones and Rev. Sherry Good will co-officiate. Refreshments will be served during the visitation. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Elkland, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any of the memorial funds of the Ulysses, Genesee, Westfield, Brookfield, or Cowanesque United Methodist churches or to Mission Central, www.missioncentral.org, 5 Pleasant View Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Arrangements are entrusted to the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfuneralhome.com.