Blanche Ruth Watkins

Blanche Ruth Mellown Watkins died peacefully on June 8, 2026, in Natchitoches, LA at the age of 99. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Harris Mellown and William Ewing Mellown, her brother, William Ewing Mellown, Jr., her husband John C. Watkins, and her daughter Valerie Parker. She is survived by her sister, Kathryn Larkin, sister-in-law, Jane Watkins, and daughters, Cindy Allen (Rodney) and Frances Conine (Cliff). She is also survived by six grandchildren: Emily Allen (Andy Briseno), Claire Patrick (John), John Conine (Lidia), Joseph Conine (Hannah), Price Parker (Alice), and Kathryn Bostick (Stephen). She was blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Ramona Briseno, Jack Conine, Sebby Conine, Poppy Conine, Marley Parker, Reese Parker, Hunter Parker, and Olivia Bostick. Three other great-grandbabies are due this year to carry on her legacy.

Blanche was born and reared in the small west Alabama town of York. Feeling that she had had a perfect childhood, she loved to tell stories about growing up on the same street as her grandparents, great-aunt, and her future husband. She was a proud graduate of Auburn University, where she earned a degree in Home Economics Education.

She married in 1951 and soon made raising her daughters her primary mission in life. As the wife of a young prison reformer, however, she oversaw a home not only filled with little girls and their friends, but one often filled with social scientists, members of the criminal justice system, reporters, and prisoners, known as houseboys. Blanche gracefully managed all this chaos, touching many lives in the process. By the example she set as a loving, calm, honest, strong and fair-minded person, Blanche earned the affection of her houseboys and helped them turn their lives around. Blanche was not a lecturer; she taught her values to everyone through her acts of kindness, generosity, and openheartedness.

As her daughters grew older, Blanche began a career of her own, teaching children from pre-school through high school. Then came her starring role, that of grandmother. “Boose”, as she was called by her grandchildren, made her home and garden an extension of her love. She filled the house with fresh flowers in the summer and delighted her grandchildren with decorations for every holiday. Boose was a fabulous cook who loved making her grandchildren’s favorite dishes and even provided a second breakfast if they wanted one. She delighted in teaching them to cook, arrange flowers, and do crafts and needlework. She was always up to watching them swim in the lake, feed the catfish, or do a little pole fishing.

Blanche spent much of her older life caring for her beloved husband as he suffered with Parkinson’s Disease. She was unflappable, uncomplaining, and incredibly kind in this most difficult endeavor. One night when John fell and she could not get him up, she pulled a small mattress to his side and slept beside him until help came.

Blanche’s love will continue through the many people she touched. She will never be replaced. Those of us who loved her can only hope to be more like her. She will be missed immensely.

Blanche’s family wishes to thank Tracy Van Hook, Liz Williams, Regina Monette, Pat Kendrick, and Earl Niette for the tender and loving care they provided for her in her last years of life.

A service celebrating Blanche’s life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 10 a.m. Memorial gifts may be made to Trinity Episcopal Preschool, 148 Touline St., Natchitoches, LA 71457.