About Katy Watkins

Since 2011, three churches… Asbury, Simple Church, and First Bossier have sponsored Katy, Molly and Emily legacy build homes in the Scott-Dickerson and Yarbourgh subdivisions in Bossier City. They joined together to turn a tragic ending into a triumphant beginning for local veterans. Emily Perdue, 16, Katy Watkins, 16, and Molly Reed, 15, were killed in an automobile accident in October 2006 while driving on I-49 through DeSoto Parish. Through this tragedy, their church homes have found a way to keep their memory and servant hearts alive.

How It Began

The Katy Build story began in 2011. Fuller Center for Housing of NWLA partnered with Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, LA to begin a legacy build in honor and memory of Katy Watkins. Katy lost her life in a car accident in 2006 along with Molly Reed and Emily Perdue. Katy was a servant leader who was very involved at Asbury UMC. Katy gave much of her time making a difference in the lives around her. This partnership represents much of what Katy, Emily, and Molly are about—love and service for our fellow neighbor.

This joint partnership would offer just such a gift to the Bossier City community. A home built for a deserving first-time veteran homeowner, Charles and Vernita Brown, in the Scott-Dickerson neighborhood. This first Fuller Center home in Bossier City was dedicated on August 11, 2012, which was also Fuller Center’s 45th home build but the first one in Bossier City. This new construction was the first in the neighborhood in almost 50 years. This was achieved through the generosity and volunteers of many in the community.

On May 10, 2014, family, friends, volunteers, and sponsors gathered to dedicate the Katy Build II, Barry Hughes House, also Fuller’s 50th home build in our community. Lonnie and Rosalyn Carmack’s home shares the lot of Katy Build I, also called Katy’s Corner.

In 2015, our partnership grew with the commitments of First Baptist Bossier and Simple Church to build homes honoring Emily and Molly. In October of 2017, Simple Church completed Molly’s House and were able to provide housing for Sterling and Rhonda Combs, also veterans and Fuller Center’s 57th home in our area. Emily Build was sponsored and built by volunteers from First Baptist Bossier and was dedicated to the family of Melanie Moss on December 21, 2019—Fuller Center’s 59th house and the fourth home in Bossier City.

Asbury United Methodist Church completed the 60th Fuller House next door to Emily Build in the Scott-Dickerson neighborhood. This Katy Build home was built in honor of Joe and Jean Elgin, called the Joe and Jean House and was dedicated to the Watley family in March of 2020.

These builds would not be possible without the assistance of sponsors, friends, and funds raised from our Katy Build Tennis weekend. Since 2015, Katy Build supporters, sponsors, and players have contributed over $340,000 for home builds in honor and memory of Katy, Emily, and Molly.

Our 2025 tournament welcomed over 300 junior and adult players, 46 teams, 80+ weekend volunteers, 50 business and family sponsors, 170+ food, beverage, and auction donations, and over $71,000 raised! With your partnership, we are truly working together to make a difference in our community.

On December 29, 2025 we broke ground on Jean Street with the Angel Build Project—three homes being built side by side in Bossier City. These homes will provide housing for three first time homeowner families through a partnership with Asbury UMC, The Simple Church, Cypress Baptist, City of Bossier and Fuller Center for Housing of NWLA.

Angel Build is funded by Katy Build Tennis Tournament and generous local home construction donors and sponsors. Angel Build has expanded its outreach vision and in 2025 partnered with the Volunteers of America of North LA. Plans with the VOA include a long term commitment in assisting with a housing facility for homeless veterans in our community.