Mr. John Marshall Watson

John Marshall Watson is the son of John Lewis Watson Jr. and Blanche Harris Watson. He was born on August 31, 1974. His name was constructed from men on both sides of the family. The John Watson part of his name was from his father and grandfather of course on his father’s side. The Marshall name was from his grandfather, Hardy Marchall Evans, his middle name, his mother’s father. He was the third child raised by the couple who wanted to have another boy. His father was overjoyed when he arrived! He was born 7 pounds and 8 ounces. His sister would rock him to sleep sometimes, for his mother who would be sewing. She would look behind at them in the rocking chair and he would fall asleep. As soon as his sister stopped rocking the chair, his one eye would pop open as to say you need to keep rocking me sister! For a brief time, John had to wear leg braces. As, he grew older he started taking them off. His mother said, “Well, so much for the braces!” This was astonishing also because by the time he was 2 years old, he had so much energy that the neighborhood matriarch that would babysit all the children (a former teacher) named “Nanny” gave him the name “Boys”. This is because he had the energy of several boys!

John as a little boy made his family laugh all of the time. He was watching Alex Haley’s series “Roots” and said “Kunta Kente you fool you!” The family said no John, he said “Kunta Kente we found you!” Every time he heard KC and the Sunshine band on tv perform the song “Shake, Shake, Shake…”, he would burst out dancing. It was his favorite song. At 3 years old, John had fully overcome any issues and blossomed into a beautiful little boy who was active in his pre-school “Kiddie Kollege” with school activities and dress up events in his tuxedo. As he grew through the elementary school years, John loved being with his parents, brother and sister, grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins on both sides of his family. He had some challenges in his 3rd to 4th grade years of school, but he managed to get through them to graduate from Thomas middle school. Church was always a part of John’s life. He was confirmed at age 12 in the Methodist church. He and his family attended Crestmont United Methodist church and Boynton Chapel United Methodist church together. He attended Sterling High School leading to some of his most difficult times with interacting with uninvited hostile peer activity and the most devastating the loss of his father at 17 years old. Two years later, he would lose his older brother as well. This impacted him a great deal, but he found the strength to try to continue completing his high school studies at the Seaborne Conservation Corp. (now known as the Texas Challenge Academy, an Americorp’s program sponsored by Texas A&M University, the US Navy and the Texas National Guard)

based in Galveston, Texas. He completed the program was even acknowledged as a leader of his group. They had many military activities: exercise in the mornings, cleaning duties and classes for high school completion. It was at this time, John met and kept over the years, many good friends that he would talk about to his family . They became a support system to each other for many years to come. We are grateful that he had the male support he needed. John also grew closer to his male family members, cousins and extended family and we are grateful that he had that after the loss of his father and brother.

After the program, he gained training as a phlebotomist and worked several jobs even in League city until he was hired in the Harris County Juvenile services supervising challenged youth.

John’s true value in this life was being there for his family and friends showing his emotional support, and caring which can in these times can be a rarity! John loved and valued the people around him with compassion and empathy and kindness. His challenging times in his life made him more understanding and caring towards others. He became a wonderful husband and a loving “Girl” dad!

On January 27, 2007 John married Mone’t Simone Clarkston and from their union they welcomed a beautiful baby girl Abigail Marie Watson on December 17, 2008. John and Mone’t were married for 18 years.

John leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Mone’t Simone Watson; his daughter, Abigail Marie Watson; his sister, Candace Watson Mack; his step-father, Lewis Hightower; his stepbrothers, Cary Hightower and Gregory Hightower; and his step-sister, Deirdre Hightower and their families; his mother-in-law, Ethel Clarkston; his father-in-law, Edward Clarkston Jr.; and his aunt-in-law, Rhonda Harris. He also leaves behind uncles, Ronald Watson, Eddie Bush and Gregory Branch; aunts, Edith Bush, Madglean Branch, Ardis Bush, Ruth Watson, Gloria Prince and their families; cousins, Darwin Henderson, Herbert Henderson II, Jonathan Henderson, Eva Henderson, A’sha Branch, John C. Branch, Dion Bush, Kim Bush, Roshanda Bush, Keisha Bush, Cassandra Jackson, Nastassya White, Arthur Prince, Emanuel Dearborne and their families; best friends, Joeyskey Ben, Christopher Stelly, Miguel Simmons; as well as many other cousins, relatives and friends.

Preceding John in death was his son, John Marshall Watson Jr.; his parents, John Lewis Watson Jr. and Blanche Watson Hightower; his brother, Warren Evans; his maternal and paternal grandparents; his aunt, Pearlie Henderson; and many other beloved family members.