For 109 years, Ruth Watkins was surrounded by moments filled with family, laughter and baseball.A lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, Watkins built a legacy not just through the years she lived, but through the joy she brought to those around her.She died just one day before Opening Day.Her family says that timing is bittersweet, but fitting for someone who loved the game so deeply.Watkins attended more than 100 Reds games over her lifetime, dating back to the days of Crosley Field. At 97 years old, she even threw out a ceremonial first pitch.“She was a huge Reds fan,” her granddaughter, Summer Lightner, said. “And as far as I know, she was the oldest Reds fan.”But her story went far beyond baseball.Watkins lived through some of the most significant moments in modern history — including the Great Depression, the flood of 1937 and the Spanish flu. She also built a successful career, earning a place in the Million Dollar Club as a real estate agent at a time when that level of achievement — especially for a woman — was rare.Lightner remembers going to the office with her.“I remember being really young and hearing them say to her, ‘This is very helpful, Ruth, but is there a man that we could speak to?’” she said. “And I remember she said, ‘There sure is, but he’s not going to be nearly as great.’”Even into her later years, Watkins continued to seek out adventure.Back when it was allowed, she climbed to the top of the Purple People Bridge — in her 80s.“There was a big group of us, and she was just like, ‘Let’s do it — let’s go,’” Lightner said.Her family says that spirit — fearless, positive and full of life — is what defined her most.A life measured not just in years, but in joy.Now, as another baseball season begins, her family says every trip to the ballpark will carry her memory with it.“One-hundred percent, I will think of her,” Lightner said. “I will think of my grandpa, and I will think of all the beautiful memories of ballparks and hot dogs and everything that goes along with it.”And in Cincinnati, those memories — like her love for the Reds — will live on every Opening Day.

CINCINNATI —

For 109 years, Ruth Watkins was surrounded by moments filled with family, laughter and baseball.

A lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, Watkins built a legacy not just through the years she lived, but through the joy she brought to those around her.

She died just one day before Opening Day.

Her family says that timing is bittersweet, but fitting for someone who loved the game so deeply.

Watkins attended more than 100 Reds games over her lifetime, dating back to the days of Crosley Field. At 97 years old, she even threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

“She was a huge Reds fan,” her granddaughter, Summer Lightner, said. “And as far as I know, she was the oldest Reds fan.”

But her story went far beyond baseball.

Watkins lived through some of the most significant moments in modern history — including the Great Depression, the flood of 1937 and the Spanish flu.

She also built a successful career, earning a place in the Million Dollar Club as a real estate agent at a time when that level of achievement — especially for a woman — was rare.

Lightner remembers going to the office with her.

“I remember being really young and hearing them say to her, ‘This is very helpful, Ruth, but is there a man that we could speak to?’” she said. “And I remember she said, ‘There sure is, but he’s not going to be nearly as great.’”

Even into her later years, Watkins continued to seek out adventure.

Back when it was allowed, she climbed to the top of the Purple People Bridge — in her 80s.

“There was a big group of us, and she was just like, ‘Let’s do it — let’s go,’” Lightner said.

Her family says that spirit — fearless, positive and full of life — is what defined her most.

A life measured not just in years, but in joy.

Now, as another baseball season begins, her family says every trip to the ballpark will carry her memory with it.

“One-hundred percent, I will think of her,” Lightner said. “I will think of my grandpa, and I will think of all the beautiful memories of ballparks and hot dogs and everything that goes along with it.”

And in Cincinnati, those memories — like her love for the Reds — will live on every Opening Day.