Ardene K. Watkins, 55 of Columbia died Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Columbia Manor.

Memorial Services will be held at 7:00pm, Monday, August 13, 2012 at the Bible Baptist Church, 1991 S. Olivet Road, Columbia.

Ardene was born April 29, 1957 in Paradise, CA to Max and Rose May Childers Nunn. She graduated from Paradise Christian School and Bob Jones University, she served as an Independent Baptist Missionary Teacher in Togo, West Africa, returning to teach at Paradise Christian School. She was married to Michael Watkins on March 26, 1988 in Paradise, CA. Ardene was recognized as Who’s Who by America’s Teachers in 2000, one of her students recommended her for the honor. In 1988 after moving to Kodiak, AK, she taught at Kodiak Christian School until 2001. Ardene traveled with her husband while he served in the US Coast Guard. In August of 2007 they moved to Columbia from Clayton, NM. She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband Michael Watkins of Columbia, her parents, Max and Rose May Nunn of Paradise, CA, one sister, Rena Collins and her husband David of Nassau, Bahamas, two brothers, Neil Nunn and his wife Julie of Paradise, CA and Vern Nunn of Colorado Springs, CO. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Memorials may be sent to, Association of Baptist for World Evangelism, P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17145 or Kodiak Christian School, 3300 Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, AK 99615