Dr. Larry Sterling Watkins

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May 8th, 2017

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Death Date: May 8, 2017

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Biography: Dr. Larry Sterling Watkins passed away May 8, 2017. He was the son of William Simpson Watkins and Annie Inez Watkins. Larry was born on March 7, 1945 in Hamburg, Arkansas. He was married to Winifred Smith Watkins for 48 years. Larry was forever a Hamburg Lion and was always proud of his hometown, his family, and his friends. Larry was an All American High School football player and he was a member of the 1964 National Championship Arkansas Razorback football team. Dr. Watkins practiced medicine in Little Rock for 42 years. His dedication to his practice was a positive impact for hundreds of patients through his long career. He was a passionate physician, a loving husband, and a giving father. Larry will be remembered forever as ?Big Daddy? to an adoring group of grandchildren. Larry is survived by his wife Winifred; two brothers, Bobby Watkins (Eleanor), Henry Watkins (Lynn); two daughters, Winifred Anne Ernst (Chris), Mary Sterling Thompson (Quin); four grandchildren, Milo Thompson, June Thompson, Madeleine Ernst, and Wilson Ernst. Larry is also survived by brother in law, Dr.Jim Kane and sister's in law, Ellen Kane and Jacqueline King. A visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Wednesday May 10, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark?s Episcopal Church on Thursday May 11, at 3pm with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be made in Larry?s honor to Apple Seeds, 2648 N Old Wire Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72703 or to The Hamburg High School Scholarship Fund, 1119 S. Main St, Hamburg, AR 71646.

Condolences(37)

Carla

#37

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Please accept my condolences on the loss of Larry. May your memory of him comfort your heart and God help your family during this time of sorrow. Isa.41:13

Webb Hubbell

#36

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Teammate, doctor, and friend -- Larry excelled at all three especially as a friend. What a loss! Winifred, Winifred, and Mar Sterling may God bless you and bring you comfort. All our best! Webb and Suzy.

Michele Leyes

#35

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I just found out of Dr. Watkins passing this morning, May 26th. I am so sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to a Dr. that was fantastic and who had a great sense of humor. I appreciated most of all the fact he listened to me.
I am in total shock he is gone. Please know how much he will be missed by all that knew him. I am a better person having known him and his wonderful staff, Kim, Stacy and "Cookie".
May God Bless you as you go through this difficult time.

Cheryl Porter

#34

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

He was the best doctor I've ever had and my heart aches to know he's gone. His sense of humor brightened my day. So very sad to lose this great man.

Michael Bailey

#33

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Watkins has been my physician for 40 years. He treated my parents and grandparents. He called me on the mornings of both of my parent's funerals to give his condolences. His was a brand of medicine, conservative and thoughtful, not often used today. This is a great loss.

LINDA BINZ

#32

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry for your loss. I have been a patient of Dr. Watson's for years and just found out that he passed away. My heart goes out to your family and I will keep you all in my prayers.

Alice Brown

#31

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

He will be greatly missed. I became a patient of his in 1993. He always took time to discuss whatever you needed and gave good advice. Can't believe he left so early.
I was in for my checkup this past January and I asked him when he planned to retire, and he said he had no plans to ever retire.
Now he can rest.

Jim and Mary Roberts Hendricks

#30

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

The world was a better place because of Dr. Larry Watkins, He took great care of my Mom, me and Jim. It was a privilege to be his patient. Our Prayers are with Winnie and all the family.

Jim and Mary

Phil, Inez Barnes

#29

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Larry was depended on by many people for their health. He said he would not retire, that he would be their until the end and he was. He will
be irreplaceable.
He was also a very kind and compassionate person.
God Bless.
Phil and Inez Barnes

Kathy & Fraser Richards

#28

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sadden but Heaven has another great man! He will be truly missed, he has been my doctor for years and always looked forward to my yearly visits - we use to kid him about retiring about what we were going to do whenever he retired, he would always say, don't worry, I am not retiring, I like what I do! And he was right, he is going to be missed, thoughts and prayers to his family and staff. May God give you love and comfort during this difficult time.

Dorthey Dutton

#27

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

He was a "real Doctor", he listened!

Guy Jones

#26

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Heaven has another angel, all too soon.
Knowing Larry was, to me personally, one of the greatest highlights of my life. Words are to shallow to fully convey how fabulous a person, role model, was & is Larry Watkins as a person, teammate, and human being. Our loss & Heaven's gain.

Natalie Haydon

#25

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mary, Ms. Watkins, Winifred, and families,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. I learned the news last night. I will forever cherish my memories of times in HS being over at your place and how great Dr. Watkins was. Always bringing a laugh and a smile. I know this is a difficult time and stay strong with the support of each other.

Love,
Natalie

Bobby and Virginia Bowman

#24

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dr. Larry Watkins was a friend and most of all our doctor for over 20 years. He was the most caring person I have ever met. We loved him and will never, ever find a personable doctor as he was. Our prayers are for the family today as you go forward without your loved one. Prayers will heal time, as he helped me through the loss of our daughter. God bless you all.

Harold & Billie Roberts

#23

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We will miss Dr Watkins so very much. He was our primary care physician 24 yrs and was almost always right on target in diagnosing our problems. He loved his family and enjoyed talking about what woodworking furniture/etc that he had made for his daughters & their families. Our condolences to his loved ones.

Jan Kersten Hood

#22

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My Mom, Mary Kersten Kelley and I will miss Larry so much. He's been Mom's Dr. and a friend for many years. We are so sad. Our thoughts and prayers for his family and his staff.

Sherry Stahley

#21

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Randy Runnells

#20

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Doctor Watkins was an incrediable Doctor and a wonderful Friend. He was most proud of his Family and had a great love for his Staff. He will be missed by me and many others. God Bless his Family. I know I will see Larry in Heaven.

Robert H. Dudley

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Condolences to Winifred and the family. You have lost a wonderful man. May peace be with you.

Michelle Hobbs

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our sincere condolences to the family. Dr. Watkins was a very compassionate and excellent doctor. I love the fact that he would sit down and consult with you about your issues first, then check you out. He always had a kind word to say to make you better. Rest in Peace Dr. Watkins, you will be greatly miss.

Jimmy murphy

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

#25 as a Hamburg Lion, he brought skills, terror and a passion for the game that will always be remembered and revered by his team mates and Hambug citizens. Great doctor, almost bigger than life, he now belongs to the ages. Prayers for the family and all his friends.

Susan Conley

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Wow; I am floored at the news of losing Dr. Watkins! He has been my doctor, along with my sister (& my late mom) for absolutely years. Every time I'd go in for my checkup, I'd tease him about retirement & golf. When he told me he didn't play golf, my assumption of all retired docs was shattered, I guess. My heart goes out to the family; praying for your comfort. The Lord is always close - reach out.

Nancy Toland

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sad to hear that we lost our friend Dr. Watkins. I have been going to him for years and we give each other a hard time. He would always say to me "Do you think your the only old lady in Little Rock that has that problem. I say no, but I expect you to fix it. I work at War Memorial Stadium and we would talk football. He will be missed and I send my love to all the family, He was a great guy.

Richard Galbraith

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So sorry! I will miss my doctor of many years. He was a great doctor and a caring person.
M

Steve Rousseau

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fellow Razorback, doctor, long-time client, friend. We can't believe you left all of us so soon. It's going to be hard to say good-bye.

Mary Margaret Ladd Givens & Bob Ladd

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our deepest condolences to the family.

Guy Jones

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Jim & Sharon hargis

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Such a fine man and physician. We will miss you Larry. Rest in peace

Tom Alstadt

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Larry was a good friend and will be missed greatly. He was bigger than life - always a joy to be with. A great sense of humor, caring and compassionate. My prayers are with the family as they grieve their loss of a wonderful husband and father.

Mike Sadler

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Condolences to the family will miss my freind and my doctor God bless rest in peace

Karen Scharfenberg

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My heart is heavy today for all the family. Dr. Watkins and I almost made 40 years this year as patient and doctor. He was a magnificent doctor and will truly be missed by all.

Brenda H. Ferguson

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

May our Gracious God bring comfort and peace to all, and may you feel the many warm thoughts and prayers of those who care.

Phil and Inez Barnes

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We will certainly miss this fine man and good friend who took such good care of our family for three generations. Larry's mom was our next door neighbor for years, the two Inez s. We loved her and him. May God bless you all.

Doris Carpenter

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Condolences to the family.

Jennifer Wolfe Dennis

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My heart breaks for all of the family. Please know thoughts and prayers are with your family today and in the days to come. He was a our physician for years. Treating my parents as well as brothers and sister-in-laws and their family. He wasn't just our doctor but our good friend. A lot of laughter and some tears. I will miss him terribly, no one can ever replace him. Today we have lost a treasure. May God bless you all.

James Wolfe

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Condolences for all the family members and friends. Prayers for you at this time of circumstances. Sure going to miss my Dr. Larry.

James D Harrison

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I graduated from High School with Larry. He was a fine person, smart in school and a great athlete. He was respected in school and also at the University. Later his respect was known as a great Doctor. Rest in peace my friend and prayers for the family.

Dr. Larry Sterling Watkins

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