Anna Lee Watkins-Garnett

Anna Lee Watkins-Garnett, died on May 30, 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was a retired educator who worked in Elementary Education Administration for over sixty years.

Anna Lee McRay was born on January 28, 1934 in Behon, Kentucky to the late William Cassius and Mary Catherine (Thompson) McRay. She grew up in rural Kentucky near Harrodsburg and graduated from McAfee High School in 1952.

She went on to the University of Iowa to receive her undergraduate and masters degrees. She married Jerry Lee Watkins on August 10, 1958 at The First Baptist Church in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

For a time, she was a United Air Force wife, then a college students’ wife while her husband attended Mississippi College. Jerry became an educator as well and they taught school in St. Louis, MO; Greeley, CO; and Colorado Springs, CO.

Dr. Jerry and Anna Watkins toured Europe, Scandinavia, and Africa. They settled in Colorado Springs and continued to teach and share the Gospel. Dr. Watkins died in 2008.

She then married a teacher and preacher, Rev. Emile Earl Garnett and had many happy years together until he died in June of 2017.

Anna was a member of Circle Drive Baptist Church, Anchor Way Baptist Church, Colorado Springs Baptist Church, Peak View Baptist Church, and several others over the years.

Funeral services will be held at The Springs Funeral Services with visitation one hour before the service. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO beside her beloved Jerry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the giver’s choice.