Richard Watkins

Richard Watkins, 77, of Ledbetter, passed away Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at his home. He died after a lengthy illness due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, (ALS). Richard spent many hours reading the Bible during his life studying God’s word, and was a member of Reidland Baptist Church. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s activities throughout the years. He was retired from Baptist Health, Paducah, where he worked for over twenty-five years. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Connie; daughters, Dr. Cara Lynn Hammonds and husband, Dr. Karl Hammonds of Paducah, and Crista Lavonne Maddux and husband, Dr. Jonathan Maddux of Marion; grandsons, Carsen Drew Hammonds and Caiden Lee Hammonds, of Paducah; and granddaughters, Catelynn Leigh Maddux and Caleigh Lanae Maddux, of Marion. Richard is also survived by his twin brother, Roger Watkins of Symsonia; and his stepbrother, Mike Baker, of Wichita, Kansas. Other surviving family includes his sisters-in-law, Marilyn Riley and husband Michael, and Sheila Chittenden and husband Darryl; and brother-in-law Stan Head and wife Lisa, all of Salem, and 3 nieces and 4 nephews. His parents were Roy Edward Watkins and Lucy McManus Watkins Baker; and his stepfather, William Garland Baker. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Leigh Ann Riley Scholarship Fund, c/o Boyd Funeral Directors, PO Box 26, Salem, Ky 42078. A funeral service will take place at 1 PM on Sat., Feb 28, 2026, in the chapel of Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem, Ky, with Dr. Brad White officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 AM and continue until the funeral hour. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. The family would like to thank Vanderbilt for their excellent care during his 3 week stay in the ICU in 2024. With the guidance of God, Dr. Christensen and the team of doctors were able to extend his life to come home for 19 more months. Dr. Warren, his pulmonologist at Vanderbilt, was superb. Thank you to the LTACH unit at Baptist Health, Paducah, and the Baptist Pulmonary Group. Much love and thanks to Dr. Jonathan Maddux and the ER staff at Crittenden Community Hospital. Richard’s family would also like to give a special thank you to everyone at Legacy Oxygen of Paducah and Kayla Taylor, whom he called his “angel.” We are grateful to his primary care physician, Dr. Melissa Purvis at Mercy Health Paducah, for her excellent care. Thank you to Mercy Home Health and May Ferguson, as well as Mercy Palliative Care and Lisa Miller. You were blessings in our lives, and we appreciate your wonderful care. God Bless You All.