Crosby county lost its most indefatigable Red Cross Home Service chairman this week with the resignation of Mrs. Pauline Watkins of Ralls.
For nine years Mrs. Watkins serviced without pay. She used a personal car, without reimbursement, to carry on Red Cross work that averaged 50 cases a month for nine years. In her files are approximately 1400 cases, representative of every service the Red Cross provides.
The motto of the postal service was adapted to the needs of Mrs. Watkins "Nor Sleet, Nor Snow, Nor Storm Shall Keep Us From Our Appointed Rounds." She was on duty at all hours of the day and night, driving long distances at odd hours to provide assistance and consultation to those in need.
The War Department laid down regulations, supplemented by Red Cross headquarters, that put Mrs. Watkins in the "front line" during World War II. She handled the complicated problems of boys killed in the service. The innumerable cases of furlough investigations, dependency discharge investigations, family problems, family allowances and a consultation and guidance program were handled with understanding, tact and efficiency.
For seven of these nine years Mrs. Watkins worked alone, without assistance. The last two years of her crowded volunteer work she had Miss Rena Kerr as assistant, as the Red Cross sought to better fulfill its responsibilities to the families of veterans.
"This work has been an invaluable experience to me," she said. "It was made easier and more pleasant by the cooperation of all Crosby county citizens, and especially Joe Parks, Red Cross county chairman, who has done a wonderful job."
Mrs. Watkins found that most cases referred to her were of a deserving nature, but there were a few that were not. "Mostly," she laughed, "those homesick veterans who wanted to return to their wives and families.
For two years she served as production chairman in charge of sewing and knitting. "I was surprised to know how many women couldn't knit and just as surprised to see how eager they were to learn."
She did not conduct regular knitting classes, but held little gatherings in her home where problems were ironed out. "You'd be amazed to know how many telephone calls I got asking how to untangle a knitting problem."
Mrs. Watkins does not know how many thousands of miles she drove her car on duty. Her duties were hard, and like everyone else working under rigid regulations, she sometimes found her duties unpleasant, even heartbreaking.
"But I loved the work, and it was worthy. It was a duty owed to those who gave far more than I. It wouldn't have been right to have taken money for it."
This record of faithful and unselfish service to the nation at war should be the pride of Crosby county and to the nation.
The Crosbyton Review, Friday, March 8, 1946
Services for W. Walker Watkins, 96, of Ralls were at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Ralls First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Allen Brooks officiating. Burial was in the Ralls Cemetery under direction of Adams Funeral Home of Ralls.
Walker passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at the Ralls Nursing Home. He was born March 29, 1910 in La Valley, Texas to the late W. D. and Mabel (Clifton) Watkins. He moved to Ralls in 1919. He attended Texas Tech University where he was a charter member of the Century Club.
On June 1, 1935 he married Pauline Ralls in Ralls.
A farmer, Walker was also a 25 year member of the Ralls Volunteer Fire Department; a member of the City Commission, and of the Ralls Cemetery Association. He had been a member of the Ralls Rotary Club since 1938 and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He held a record of perfect attendance for almost 60 years.
As a member of the Ralls First United Methodist Church, he was a trustee for 31 years and was chairman of the building committee for the present building and parsonage. He served on the board of trustees for Kings Manor, a Methodist Retirement Home in Hereford and had served as chairman of the original building committee and later as president. He was a member of the board of trustees for McMurray University in Abilene and a supporter of Southern Methodist University. He was instrumental in the organization of Ralls Historical Museum, and served as treasurer. He helped renovate the building and was a major donor.
Walker is preceded in death by two brothers; Winfield "Windy" and Wilmoth Watkins, a nephew; Don Watkins, a niece; Sue Grasty and a great niece; Wendy Anderson. Survivors include; his wife; Pauline of Ralls, great nieces; Lezlie Tipton of Dallas and Dawn Parten of Richardson and great nephew; Jeff Grasty of Florida. Also surviving are numerous other nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to a favorite charity.
Serving as pallbearers were: Eddie Verett, Steve Verett, Heath Verett, William Igal, Don Gobin and Don Niewold.
Crosby County News, Friday, February 2, 2007, page 14
Pauline Ralls Watkins, 99, of Ralls, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2011, in Ralls. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 10, 2011, at First United Methodist Church in Ralls with Pastor Gary Hubbard officiating and Rev. Judy Shema assisting. Burial will follow in Ralls Cemetery under the care of Adams Funeral Home of Ralls.
A visitation for family and friends will be at 1:00 P.M., Saturday before the funeral.
Pauline was born on June 1, 1912, in Ryan, Oklahoma to Percy B. and Zama Williams Ralls and moved to Ralls in 1916. After graduation from Texas Woman's University, in 1931, she taught in Ralls High School. She married Walker Watkins on June 1, 1935, in Ralls. He preceded her in death on January 24, 2007.
She was instrumental in the organization of Ralls Historical Museum and served as a volunteer for 30 years. She was a member and officer of Ralls Study Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Women's Division of Ralls Chamber of Commerce and Crosby County "Citizen of the Year" and with her husband, Chamber of Commerce "Citizens Through the Years" and West Texas Pioneer Old Settlers' "Pioneers Through the Years." She was also an honorary member Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers' organization. She was awarded this year at the Ralls Centennial Celebration as the Ralls "Citizen of the Century."
As a member of Ralls First United Methodist Church since 1919, she served on many committees and was a Sunday School Teacher for more than 65 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brothers, Herbert, Raymond and Emory Ralls, and her sister, Alma Ralls Hendrick.
Survivors include nieces, Donna Landsheft of El Paso, Sue Gobin of Richardson, Cynthia Ralls Hester of Lubbock and a nephew, Scott Ralls of Lubbock.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a favorite charity.
Published Lubbock Avalanche Journal, December 9, 2011
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