Sophia Regina (Lewandowski) Watkins went home to be with the Lord Saturday, December 23, 2017.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Midway Baptist Church in Watervliet where friends my visit with the family beginning at 10 a.m. Visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. Memorial donations may be made to the Hanson Hospice Center. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Sophia was born June 13, 1929, the daughter of Andrew and Sophia Anne (Lipinski) Lewandowski, both born in Poland. She had three sisters and two brothers. She grew up on a farm in Toquin, Michigan, south of Covert. Her father died when she was young, so life was challenging.

After graduating from Covert High School, Sophia worked for several years for the telephone company in South Haven. She then worked for Voice of Music (VM) Corp. in Benton Harbor.

Sophia married her husband of 67 years, Rex A. Watkins, on August 5, 1950. They were blessed with two sons and two daughters. While raising her family, Sophia worked for several years at Farmers and Merchants bank in Benton Harbor. In 1955, Rex and Sophia founded Rex Auto Parts in Benton Harbor and remained involved until they sold the business and retired in 1994.

Sophia attended Plymouth Congressional Church in Watervliet. She took interest in many things, including home design, but her highest priorities were her Christian faith and her family. Everything she did revolved around family, from vacations to holiday gatherings. Whenever possible, she loved to be with family at her lot in Sandy Pines.

Sophia is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Sophia; her son, Mark Andrew; her three sisters, Bernice Lewandowski, Mary Day, and Irene Watkins Worra; and her brother,  Zygmund Lewandowski.

She is survived by her husband, Rex Watkins Sr.; daughter, Susan (Don) Stewart; son, Rex (Debbie) Watkins, Jr.; daughter Bonnie (Jeff) Joseph; grandchildren, Katrina (Jarrod) Hankins, and Grant and Hudson Joseph; great-grandchildren, Madison, Ethan and Olivia Hankins; and her brother, Marvin (Pearl) Lewandowski. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was dedicated to her family, who stayed by her side, until she was called home by the Lord.