Ella Mae Smith Watkins, age 94, of Malvern, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Baylor Hospital in Plano, Texas. She was born August 11, 1932, in Malvern to the late Asbury and Willie Mae McClure Smith. Ella Mae was a life long member of Bethel AME Church in Malvern, Arkansas. She was a graduate of The Malvern Colored High School.

On May 11, 1950, she married the late Willie Floyd Watkins. To this union four children were born: Willie Maxine, Floyd Eugene, Hettie Leigh, and Brenda Joyce. In death, she is proceeded by her husband, son, parents, siblings, and two grandchildren.

She is survived by three daughters, Willie Maxine Fitzugh (George) of Fairfield, CA; Hettie Leigh Redic (Alonzo II) of Malvern; Brenda Joyce Watkins of Frisco, TX; five grandsons, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, October 5, 2026 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1220 Carmichael St, Malvern, AR 72104, where the Reverend Daryell Howell serves as pastor and her grandson, The Reverend Alonzo O. Redic III, Senior Pastor of Friendship African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant, SC, will serve as eulogist.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM prior to service.

Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.