Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Francis Watson, age 87 of Nashville, Tennessee, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 23, 2019. She fully understood who created her, why she was here on this earth and where she was going to spend eternity and lived her life in these truths. She joins her loving husband, Horace, who preceded her in death just 3 months prior, her mother, Margaret Pitts Gilmer Keim, her stepfather, Leonard James Keim, and her father, Samuel Sprott Gilmer. She is survived by her sons, Alan Eugene Watson ( Nancy) of Birmingham, Alabama and Stephen Mark Watson, MD (Sally, MD) of Nashville; daughters, Deborah Annette Watson Garrison (Bill) of Birmingham and Susan Carol Watson Richards (Fred) of Madison, Mississippi; sisters, Margaret Gregg (Jon) of Seattle, Washington and Marilyn Hildebrand (Dave, MD) of Port Angeles, Washington; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Francis was born July 22, 1932 in Sulligent, Alabama. She graduated from Ensley High School, attended University of Montevallo and graduated from The University of Alabama with a biology degree. She worked as a medical technologist at Southern Research. She lived her life in obedience to two great commandments, to love God and to love others. She possessed a true servant’s heart, traveling to many foreign countries with Horace, performing volunteer mission work through the Baptist Foreign Mission Board. It is heart-warming to note how she relayed her mission adventures, Bible teachings and songs to her grandchildren and great grands.
Francis was active in many charitable, social and civic groups throughout her life, all while being a fully engaged and supportive physician’s wife. She especially enjoyed teaching Asian immigrants in the English ESL class for decades. She dedicated her life to helping many with both their earthly and heavenly citizenships. Most recently, she and Horace were active members of Bellevue Baptist Church in Nashville where she was a member of the WMU, assistant Sunday school teacher and president of her sewing club.
Francis enjoyed boating, fishing, traveling, watching football and garden club, but most dear to her heart were times spent with family and friends at Lake Barkley, Watson Farm and her home.
Visitation will be held at Bellevue Baptist Church on Monday, December 2, 2019 from nine thirty until eleven o’clock in the morning. A Celebration of Life will take place at eleven o’clock with Pastor Mike Shelton officiating, followed by a private graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family believes Francis would encourage memorials to Bellevue Baptist Church or a favorite charity. Sincere gratitude to Dr. James Powers, Tashua Edwards and all caregivers for the loving care provided to both Francis and Horace.
Grandchildren, William Christopher (Jennifer) Garrison, Jennifer Annette Garrison (Jeff) Vreeland, Alan Andrew (Rachel) Watson, Nancy Laraine Watson, Kristen Marleah Watson (Paul) Brandon, Emily Caroline Richards (Andy) Whitlock, Coleman Frederick (Carla) Richards, William Henry Watson and Thomas Eli Watson.
Great Grandchildren, Victoria Annette Vreeland, Jeffry Arnold Vreeland, William Austin Vreeland, Savannah Grace Vreeland, Abigail Brooklyn Garrison, Andrew Alexander Watson.
PALLBEARERS: Paul Brandon, Chris Garrison, Jon Gregg, Coleman Richards, Fred Richards, Jeff Vreeland, Billy Watson and Andy Whitlock
Honorary Pallbearers - Faith Sunday School Class
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