Barbara Smith Watkins, 76, of Fayetteville, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville.

Mrs. Watkins was born in Bethune, S.C., to Paul Newman Smith and Virginia Watts Smith on July 7, 1939. She graduated from the University of Hawaii. She is survived by her three children, Kathie Watkins Stanley (Gene), Mark (Michelle) and Greg; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Del Watkins, and her sister, Pauline Smith Gramling.

Mrs. Watkins was a beloved wife and mother. She loved the Lord, her family and her extended church family. She taught physical education on Fort Bragg for many years. Music was a driving force in her life and she played piano and sang in the choir for many churches in the area, and was always ready to help those that needed it.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 3 p.m. Burial will be in Great Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Whaleyville on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at 1 p.m.