A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Madgie L.Tucker Watkins 88, of Orangeburg, SC and formerly of Hillsboro, AL. will be 1:30 PM, Sunday at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Ronald Merriweather officiating and burial in Owens Family Cemetery.   The family will receive friends one-half hour prior to funeral at the church. 

Madgie Tucker Watkins, age 88, departed this earthly life and began her eternal life on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at her residence, 1116 Senate Street, Orangeburg, South Carolina.  After moving from Alabama to South Carolina in 2004, she shared a loving home with her daughter, Luretheia (Rita) and son-in-law, The Rev. Thomas Pearson, as primary caregivers.  She was born in Lawrence County (Courtland), Alabama on September 12, 1927, as one of four daughters and eight sons of John B. and Ora Cranfield Owens.  Her siblings knew her as “Sister” because she often served as caregiver to the younger ones, while mother gave birth to additional siblings.  She grew up in a loving family where each child knew that “the work must go on” and church took first priority.

Madgie attended the Tennessee Valley Schools in Hillsboro, Alabama, where she became a member of the school chorus. During the summer of 1938, Madgie accepted Christ as her personal Savior and united with the Ebenezer CME Church. She then joined the choir and this was only the beginning of her career in church work and church activities.  She was an active child who quickly learned to sew, cook, and master the skills of home-making.

In February 1948, Madgie married John L. Tucker of Decatur, Alabama. To this union two children were born, Freddie and Luretheia, (Rita). The importance of spending time with family was extremely important to Madgie. As she set goals for herself, she pushed her children to excel, strive for excellence, and to achieve. “Prayer is the key that unlocks the door of opportunity,” she always said.

Madgie was the widow of the late King Watkins.  They lived in Louisville, KY for several years before returning to Hillsboro, AL where she united with Canaan MB Church, joined the choir, became active in Sunday School and served on the Mothers Board.  In love, she touched many lives. She also was a member of The Order of Eastern Star, Corrinder Chapter 97 in Hillsboro.

Siblings who preceded her in death: Rev. James Jones, Levoulia Hobbs, Joseph Owens, Johnnie M. Hill, Rev. Thomas Owens.

Madgie leaves to cherish her memory one son, Freddie, (Carol) Tucker, Fairview Heights, Il; a daughter, Luretheia, (Rev. Thomas Pearson, Jr) Orangeburg, SC; two granddaughters, Marcia T. Parks, Dallas, GA , Traci (Clarence) Samuel; two grandsons, Thomas III and Eric Pearson; seven grandchildren; her siblings, Rev. John B. (Hazel) Owens, Jr., Rev. Leo (Betty) Owens, Oscar (Betty) Owens, Rev. Willie (Lucille) Owens, Sallie Massey, and Lillie Robinson; sisters-in-law: Milene Owens and Helen Jones along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other family and friends.