John Cleveland Watkins

John Cleveland Watkins, 86, died from complications of Parkinson’s disease on April 15, 2012 in his home in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He was surrounded by his family. He was born in Wilcox County, Alabama and grew up in York, Alabama. After serving as a nose gunner in the Army Air Force in World War II, he graduated from the University of Alabama, where he was president of social fraternity Pi Kappa Phi. During his 40-year career in corrections, Watkins was a national leader in prison reform. One of his earliest positions was as head of Draper Prison in Alabama. Upon his appointment at age 32, he was the youngest warden in the U.S. He is known for introducing an educational program to Draper and for changing its name to Draper Correctional Center. In 1976, he became the warden of Parchman Prison in Mississippi and later Commissioner of Corrections for the state of Mississippi. He shared his ideas through participation in the American Correctional Association and was president of the organization. He was a frequent speaker on corrections at civic organizations and in college classrooms. Watkins was a president of Rotary and was senior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church, both in Wetumpka, Alabama. He loved to fish, garden, read, challenge the status quo, drink, and argue. He was preceded in death by his parents, Volee and Nathan Watkins, a brother Mack Watkins, and his foster son, Floyd Riley. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Blanche Mellown Watkins; daughters Cindy Allen and husband Rodney, Frances Conine and husband Cliff, and Valerie Parker and husband Franky; grandchildren Emily and Claire Allen, John and Joseph Conine, and Price and Kathryn Parker; his foster son Stanley Riley, Stanley’s wife Jean, and their sons John Allen, Joel, and William Riley; a sister Jane Watkins, a brother Nathan Watkins, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches. On Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., ashes of John Watkins will be interned at the York Cemetery in York, Alabama. At 6:30 pm on the same day the remaining ashes will be spread upon Lake Jordan at 100 Shady Nook Drive, Deatsville, Alabama. The family wishes to thank the many caregivers, especially the loving staff at Hospice of Natchitoches, who helped make John’s last months easier and more meaningful. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Natchitoches, 340 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457.