Earnsteen Prater Watkins, age 76, a resident of Short Fork Road in Salyersville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Earnsteen was born September 3, 1948, in Salyersville, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Roosevelt and Edna Marie Wireman Prater. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Watkins; sons, Ravon Paul Howard and William Douglas Howard; and sisters, Palisteen Prater and Evelyn Howard.
Earnsteen, lovingly known as “Earnie,” was a natural caregiver whose life was devoted to helping and caring for others. She worked as a certified nursing assistant until her retirement, touching countless lives through her compassion, patience, and dedication. Her giving spirit extended beyond her profession—she was the pillar of her family, always putting others before herself, and was happiest when surrounded by her loved ones. She was a faithful member of the First Community Baptist Church.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Amelia Howard of Maineville, Ohio; her son, Kevin Watkins of Salyersville, Kentucky; sisters, Magelene Burton of West Liberty, Kentucky, Wandalene Porter of Salyersville, Kentucky, and honorary sister, Debra Howard of Salyersville, Kentucky; eleven grandchildren; multiple great-grandchildren; along with a host of family and friends who deeply loved and will miss her.
Funeral services for Earnsteen Prater Watkins will be conducted Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM from the chapel of the Salyersville Funeral Home in Salyersville, Kentucky. Interment will follow in the Prater Family Cemetery on Short Fork in Salyersville, Kentucky. The family will welcome friends Thursday, August 28, 2025, after 6:00 PM and anytime prior to the funeral service.
The Salyersville Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
salyersvillefuneralhome.com.
