Diana "Dee" Marie Watkins

Diana “Dee” Marie Watkins was born Diana Marie Ward on March 8, 1943 in Fort Worth, Texas to Weston and Ruth Yeakley Ward. Dee, as she was known, graduated from Texas Women’s University with a degree in Chemistry and worked as a Chemist at Phillips and Pantex. For 25 years, Dee worked at Walmart in Nixa, Missouri becoming a fixture in her community. Her professional life was not the most important thing about her; people were who Dee truly cared about.

Throughout her life, Dee cared for people out of the love she knew from her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her life of service began young. She logged many hours at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth as a candy striper, receiving many awards for her dedication. Her love of serving people in need never left her. She is known in her family for uniting many and being the glue that held relationships together. Whether it was marriages, her own blended family, her special needs grandson, her coworkers who became friends, or her brothers and sisters at church, Dee constantly showed up in word and deed to offer the encouragement of Jesus Christ in the relationships around her.

Dee experienced life to the fullest in all the situations she faced. During the two years she lived in Iran with her husband and two sons, Dee taught at the Tehran International School. Instead of flying directly home with her two sons, she exchanged her tickets and took them on the adventure of a lifetime on the Orient Express from Tehran to Portugal, stopping along the way. When she had the chance to see her son in Asia during his time there as a missionary, she got on the plane alone at 70 years old and took the journey.

Even in the difficult times, Dee displayed an endurance and tenacity that marked her life and kept her family going. When times were tough, she knew how to pinch pennies and keep food on the table. She often worked long hours to support her family and came home and took care of her ailing husband as well. She and a beloved coworker lived together for a time so Dee could help her friend who needed care with some health issues. Dee made connections wherever she went, whether it was neighbors, coworkers, or strangers who became friends. Having known difficulty herself, she was able to comfort those who faced hard times with love and grace.

Dee made a point to be with her family for key moments in their lives. She traveled near and far to be there for the weddings and graduations of her grandkids.

Among Dee’s many talents were choosing the most meaningful and personal card at Hallmark for each of her large family’s birthdays and anniversaries. Not only were the cards perfectly selected, they always seemed to arrive exactly on time. When the mail service let her down, she was on the phone to make sure we knew who was at fault.

Diana was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Douglas Wesley Watkins and her beloved grandson, Jordan Routon.

Dee is survived by her children: David (Alison) Wilson of College Station, Texas: Donnie (Kim) Wilson of Nixa, Missouri; Dedra (Tim) Routon of Ozark, Missouri; Shellie Ritzman (Nevin) of Kernersville, North Carolina; David (Melony) Watkins of Fritch, Texas; and Derek (Yvette) Watkins of Nixa, Missouri.

She is also survived by 19 grandchildren. By David Wilson: Abigail, Caleb, and Jake. By Donnie Wilson: Michael, Bryan, Reid, and Mackenzie. By Dedra Routon: Jordan, Evelyn, and Blake. By Shellie Ritzman: Cole and Luke. By David Watkins: William Douglas. By Derek Watkins: Tyler, Abigail, Emma, Alyssa, Madyson, Hannah, and Clayton.

Dee is survived as well by six great-grandchildren: Rowan, Coven, Hadley, Gwendolyn, Violet, and Callum. Dee is also survived by her two brothers: Don (Corlee) Ward of Arlington, Texas and Dale (Avice) Ward of Granbury, Texas. Last but not least, she is survived by her beloved doggie companion, Jazzi.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa with Pastor Jamie Bilyeu officiating.

Visitation will be held at 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.

A committal service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2026, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to: 

Children’s Miracle Network or her church, Riverdale Baptist Church of Nixa, Missouri.