Helen Lindley

Helen Watkins Lindley, 98, of Shuqualak, MS passed away surrounded by her family on December 5, 2024, at Carrington Nursing Center in Starkville, MS. Her funeral service will take place on Sunday, December 8, at Cockrell Funeral Home Chapel (3478 Jefferson Street) in Macon at 2:00 P.M. Helen’s grandson, Dr. Carlton Weathers, will officiate the service. Interment will follow in Shuqualak Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral service. The family requests memorials to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Helen Watkins was born in Shuqualak, MS on February 27, 1926, to the late Rufus Richmond Watkins and Carrie Luke Watkins. She attended the Shuqualak school before marrying the love of her life, Jimmy Lindley, on July 10, 1947. They made their home in Shuqualak and Helen was a stay-at-home Mom until her children were grown, at which time she began to go to her husband’s store, Jimmy’s Shoe Shop, and keep him company during the day. Helen enjoyed playing Bridge and was also a member of the Home Demonstration Club. She and Jimmy were faithful members of Shuqualak Baptist Church. After Jimmy’s death, Helen moved to Macon to be nearer to family members and she began attending First Baptist Church of Macon. Her hobbies included shopping and especially Antiquing. She also loved to visit her grandchildren. After she became unable to live alone in 2020, Helen made her new home in Carrington Nursing Center in Starkville, MS. Throughout her life and it’s many trials, Helen was known as being a kind, caring energetic Christian lady who loved her children and grandchildren. Helen is preceded in death by her husband, James (Jimmy) Lindley, a son, (Lil) Jimmy Lindley, great granddaughter, Sophie Ann Weathers, three sisters, Elsie Moore, B.B. Adams, and Martha Shepherd and six brothers, Luke Watkins, Rufus Watkins, Paul Watkins, Charlie Watkins, Haynes Watkins, and Bobby Watkins. 

Helen Watkins Lindley is survived by her daughter: Ann Lindley Knight (Ivy) of Columbus, MS and her son: Clyde Lindley (Dee) of Caledonia, MS, three grandchildren, Ginny (Wade) Leonard of Columbus, Aimee (Carlton) Weathers, Anniston, AL and Nicole (Mario) Gutierrez, Columbus, MS. Eleven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind one brother, James “Sugar Pie” Watkins of Metairie, Louisiana