The Murfreesboro SitiGirl Luminary is proud to announce that Mary R. Watkins has been nominated for the prestigious Voice of the SitiGirl Luminary Award, an honor reserved for those who use their voices to champion truth, preserve legacy, and create undeniable impact in their communities. At 78 years young, Mrs. Watkins has spent a lifetime planting seeds of knowledge, cultivating history, and ensuring that the rich heritage of African Americans in Rutherford County will never be forgotten.
A native daughter of Rutherford County, Mary Watkins is the proud mother of four sons, grandmother of seven, and one of nine children born to Walter and Sam Ella Patterson. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Art and Sociology from Middle Tennessee State University, and furthered her education with endorsements in Special Education from both UT Nashville and UT Martin. Her professional path includes 23 years with the State of Tennessee’s Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, followed by 16 years with the Rutherford County Board of Education.
But her life’s work goes far beyond titles and job descriptions.
Mary R. Watkins is a living archive—a multi-talented artist, playwright, genealogist, and community instructor. She has volunteered her gifts through youth art camps, senior art sessions, and educational showcases during Career Days and Black History Month celebrations across Murfreesboro. Since 2012, she has faithfully led the African American Voice: Past and Present of Rutherford County class at the Patterson Community Center, where she teaches seniors to research and document their family history.
Most notably, Watkins is a founding member and the long-serving President (2014–2024) of the African American Heritage Society of Rutherford County (AAHS)—an organization devoted to discovering, preserving, teaching, and sharing the stories of African Americans whose contributions helped shape the region. Through her leadership, the AAHS has made indelible strides: erecting historical monuments and markers, honoring local heroes of the past and present, organizing conferences and lectures, and establishing partnerships across Middle Tennessee.
Her mission is clear: to protect a history that is too often threatened by silence and erasure.
“History is history—and it must be told truthfully, even when it exposes pain,” she says. “African Americans have made profound contributions to this country, and we must ensure those stories are never buried, erased, or undervalued. It’s our obligation to pass that legacy on to future generations.”
Among the many obstacles she has faced, one of the most significant was the fight to erect a Memorial Monument honoring the enslaved individuals once sold on the courthouse steps of Rutherford County. It took years of resilience, community partnerships, and unwavering faith to see that dream realized—but it now stands as a permanent reminder of the truth and a symbol of perseverance.
Watkins believes being a “Voice” in the community means more than speaking—it means standing, advocating, and leading. “To make your voice heard, you must believe in the mission, stay committed, and never stop moving forward—even when the path gets difficult.” Her faith is the cornerstone of her strength, reminding her that her work is ordained and guided by a higher power.
In reflecting on her nomination for the Voice of the SitiGirl Luminary Award, Mary Watkins says, “I am honored, grateful, and deeply appreciative. This recognition is not just for me—it’s for the ancestors, the AAHS, and everyone who believes in preserving and teaching our shared history.”
Mrs. Watkins continues to give back, without hesitation or reserve, fully aware that none of us arrive at our destinies alone. She encourages others to get involved—through time, resources, storytelling, and active engagement. The mission, she insists, must live on: “We are all standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. It is now our turn to be the shoulders for those who come next.”
In honoring Mary R. Watkins, the SitiGirl Luminary platform also honors the countless lives and legacies she has helped illuminate. Her voice isn’t just echoing through history—it’s helping write the next chapter.
