Roper Funeral Home and Crematory 206 Holly St Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-7500 (706) 253-0040 www.roperfuneralhome.com Patricia Carter Watkins passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 29, 2026, at the age of 68, at Piedmont Hospital in Jasper, Georgia, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born Patricia Gail Carter at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, January 2, 1958 to James Ralph Carter and Mary Ruth Eberhart Carter. During her early childhood, Patty was always athletic, playing basketball and climbing trees. She graduated from Campbell High School in Fairburn, GA in 1975. She worked hard and attended summer school two summers to graduate a year early. During her years at Campbell High she was a cheerleader. Always popular and pretty she was chosen to be on homecoming court her junior year. Patty married David Milam Watkins on June 4, 1977, and together they built a loving home and family in Fayetteville, Georgia. They worked side by side raising their sons Dave and James, creating a life centered on care, hard work, and togetherness. They had a huge garden and spent countless hours growing, canning, and freezing vegetables. Anyone who visited was always welcomed with delicious food and plenty of it. She was also a gifted cook, self-taught and guided by family traditions, creating those delicious dishes. Patty and David shared a deep love for animals, especially beagles, and at one time even attempted to raise turkeys. Of all the animals they cared for, the one Patty bonded with most was a Dalmatian named Mia. In the 1990's Patty worked as a clerk at ASA Airlines after working at the Fulton County Courthouse. In the late 90's she moved to Jasper, GA where she worked with her husband and sons as an Accounts Payable Specialist at a relocated Watkins Lumber. When their grandson Quinn was born in 2012, Patty was overjoyed to add another boy to her close family. Being Grandma was one of her greatest joys. Patty was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 59. David took care of her diligently for nine years. A special thank you to Patty's caregivers who supported her over the last few years, especially her most recent caregiver, Phyllis, for her kindness and compassion. Patty is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Mary Carter, formerly of Fairburn, Georgia. Patty is survived by her husband of 49 years, David Watkins of Jasper; sons, Dave Watkins (Brandy) of Jasper and James Watkins of Ellijay; grandson, Quinn Watkins of Jasper; step-grandson, Jace Cariola of Jasper; siblings, Pam Carter Youngblood (Jack) of Senoia, Tom (Cheri) Carter of Bethesda, MD; Kim Carter Kilgore (Ken) of Biloxi, MS; sister-in-law, Brenda (Deryl) Bullington of Fayetteville; and brother-in-law, Gary Watkins (Jennifer) of Jasper. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2026 in the Chapel of Roper Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Lake Forest Memorial Park at 280 Camp Road, Jasper, Georgia 30143. The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral Home, Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.