Betty Maurine Watson

Betty Maurine North Watson, 91, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on August 28, 2021. Betty was born in Mesa, Arizona on February 16, 1930 to Edith Lenora Dunbar and Frank Herbert North.

Betty and her four siblings had humble beginnings in Mesa. She graduated from Mesa High School in 1947. While working at the local movie theater, she met her beloved husband of 63 years, William (Bill) Herbert Watson, a mechanic in the Air Force. They were married in Mesa on October 5, 1948 and subsequently moved to Pasadena, Texas, where Bill’s mother lived, and started their family. Bill built the house where they lived and created memories for decades of family gatherings and celebrations.

Betty was a homemaker, seamstress, and made all the children’s clothes when they were growing up. She was a faithful Sunday School teacher at Golden Acres Baptist church for 50 years. She enjoyed making crafts for the young children, and teaching with her good friend Virginia. Bill and Betty maintained a vegetable garden for many years. Many meals were prepared with peas, corn, squash, okra, and tomatoes from the garden. They were ‘hands-on’ in home improvement projects for themselves and family members. She often walked in the early morning around the neighborhood for her exercise. Betty was known to speak her mind directly, and was told she was ‘little and loud’. She enjoyed shopping with Annita, cross-stitching, and creating new Christmas stockings each year for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Bill played an active role in caring for their five grandchildren. The grandkids looked forward to a snack in Mamaw’s pantry of ‘crackers and squirty cheese’.

Betty is survived by Ivo Carl Watson, and wife Helen, and Annita Lenora Watson. Her grandchildren are Shayna Helvey and husband Kyle, Kathy Watson, Joshua Watson and wife Jaime, Collin Watson and wife Kahla, and Evan Watson. Her great-grandchildren are Elijah and Aria Watson, and Rylee and Harper Helvey. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill, son Eric Watson and his wife Janis, and four siblings: Frank Carl North, Jean Lenora North Francis, LaVern North, and Clyde Leon North.