Brenda K. Watkins, age 74, of Plainfield, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Brenda was a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished grandmother. She was born on December 5, 1951, in Smithville, Indiana, to the late Vernon and Pauline (Stevens) Deckard. On April 21, 1973, she married the love of her life, Steve Watkins, and together they shared 52 wonderful years of marriage.

Brenda dedicated 30 years of her career as a contract specialist with Duke Energy before retiring. Alongside Steve, she was an active member of New Hope Christian Church in Nokomis, Florida, where her faith and spirit of service were evident to all who knew her.

Family and friends were at the center of Brenda's life. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren, Sage and Brady, and found peace and joy in reading, biking, traveling, time spent on the lake, and volunteering through her church. Brenda's kindness, warmth, and genuine spirit will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to know her.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Steve Watkins; her daughter, Mindy Kidwell (Mitch); her sisters, Carolyn Graham, Beverly Greenwood, and Janice Grooms (Anver); her brothers, Bill and Roger Deckard; her grandchildren, Sage and Brady Kidwell, and a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday January 7 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., immediately followed by a Reflection of Life service at Hall-Baker Funeral Home in Plainfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Brenda's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at www.stjude.org.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis TN 38105-9959
Web: http://www.stjude.org