Luvada Josephine Watson

Luvada Josephine (Kirby) Watson was born December 29, 1927, in Durant, Oklahoma. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, November 17, 2021 with her daughter Linda and grandson Wesley Benson by her side. She was a resident of Merced, California, since 1956 until her home going. She fought a strong, valiant fight against the devasting disease of Alzheimer’s/dementia for several years. She joined her husband Harold in eternity.

Miss Luvada, as she was known by so many, was a farmer’s wife, a loving mother of her children and a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. She was always active in her children’s lives whether it be PTA, 4-H, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Vacation Bible School, Mission trips and the various sports that her kids were involved in. She was also involved in the schools in which her children were students. If there was a family, community or church activity that needed someone to serve, plan or organize, she was there volunteering.

Miss Luvada and her husband, Harold sold their grade-A dairy farm in Sulphur, Oklahoma, and Harold went to work for Boeing Aircraft. Boeing sent the family to Merced in 1956. Harold continued to work at Boeing until retirement and at the same time began another dairy farm.

Miss Luvada was very active in her church. She was part of the founding membership of the Airport Road Baptist Church. She became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church when the family moved to a larger farm on Mission Avenue. She was a Sunday School teacher, Treasurer and part of the Women’s Missionary Society. In her later years she became a member of the Merced Baptist Church. She would invite people to church and write cards to visitors, those who were home bound and others who needed encouragement. She was always praying for her family, friends and many others who were in need of prayer.

She was active in the Boeing Family reunions (those families who came to Castle Air Force Base with Boeing Aircraft Company in 1956). She was an active member in the Merced Senior Citizens Center and she used to box and handout food baskets to seniors and others in need.

She loved her Savior, her husband, her children, her pastor and his family, her church and people. Dad used to say, “She never met a stranger.”

Miss Luvada was proceeded in death by her loving husband Harold Gaston Watson to whom she was married for 62 years. She was also proceeded in death by her parents: Joseph M. Kirby and Willa May (Jones) Kirby, son-in-law Donald Benson and great grandson Christopher Benson.

She leaves behind her sister Juanita Thompson (Dean) of Lawton, Oklahoma; son, John William Watson, Camp Verde, Arizona; son, Jerald Dale Watson, Madera, California; daughter, Linda Kay (Watson) Benson, Beatty,

Oregon; son, Harold Gaston Watson, Jr., Merced, California; son, Walter Lee Watson, Nashville, Tennessee; daughter, Tammy Ann (Watson) Flaming; Erath, Louisiana; adopted son, Jerry Allen Rose of Oklahoma; and their spouses. She also leaves 22 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grand child.

The family wishes to thank the hospice caregivers who so tenderly and lovingly cared for her. Thank you to Linda Watson Benson, and her son Wesley Benson who gave her twenty-four seven care for five years.

There will be a viewing from 9 AM to 10 AM,December 13th, at the Merced Baptist Church, 1004 W. 15th Street, Merced, CA 95341. The Memorial Service will be held Monday, December 13th, 11 AM, at the Merced Baptist Church, 1004 W. 15th Street, Merced, CA 95341. The service will be led by Pastor Anthony Doss.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the Watson family.