Verna Irene Watson

Mrs. Verna Irene Watson, 90, departed this life to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 10, 2016 in Nacogdoches, TX. She was born on December 27, 1925 in Clever Creek Community, near Center, TX to parents Robert Alonzo Hughes and Mattie Mangrum Hughes.

Mrs. Watson graduated from Shelbyville High School, Shelbyville, TX in 1942. She married Edward Watson in 1943 in Center, TX after graduation from high school. The couple moved to Tomah, Wisconsin after Edward enlisted in the US Army. After he returned from his overseas WWII duty, they moved to Port Arthur, Texas. In 1947 their son, Kenneth, was born. In 1948 they moved to Nacogdoches, and in 1950 their daughter, Judy, was born. After raising her children, she attended Massey Business College in Nacogdoches. After graduation, she worked as church secretary at First Baptist Church under three pastors, Rev. Edwin Crawford, Rev. Bob Graves, and Rev. Bill Austin. She simultaneously served as secretary for the Shelby-Doches Baptist Association. She also worked at Stephen F. Austin State University as secretary to the Athletic Director.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edward Watson, to whom she was married for 63 years, and by her 7 brothers and 3 sisters. She is lovingly survived by her son, Kenneth Watson and wife Jo Nell of Katy; daughter, Judy Graves and husband Keith of Nacogdoches; grandchildren Shane Graves and wife Dina of The Woodlands; Bryan Graves and Stephanie Ray of Melrose; Krista Ammons and husband Paul, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Sheryl Watson of Bentonville, Arkansas; John Watson of Dickinson; great grandchildren Nolan Graves, Caleb Graves, Peyton Graves, Bryce Graves, Rylie Graves, Skylar Ammons, Noelle Preece, Chloe Preece, Hope Dailey, Hunter Dailey; brother-in-law, Frank Watson and wife Sally of Groves; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was a member of Melrose Baptist Church.

Her family fondly remembers her positive attitude about life and people. She was referred to as “Granny” even by non-relatives. She was a devout Christian and spent each night praying for her family, often in order of birth. She always thought of others before herself. She never had a negative comment about anyone, always thinking the best of everyone. She was especially fond of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was happy that she was able to live out her days at her home, where she enjoyed many flowers and birds. She was lovingly attended to by her family and her caretakers. The family would like to express gratitude to caretakers Debby Stone, LaQuita Clark, the staff of Advantage Home Health Care and previous caretakers, Gina Heard, Jean Bond, Tonya Mims, and Angie Martin. Each one of them took such special care of her. She called them “her ladies” and loved each of them very much. Thanks also to her special friends Al and Shirley Botkin and Donnie Martin.

A funeral service is scheduled on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 10:30 am at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel. Burial will follow at Lower Melrose Cemetery, Melrose, TX. Rev. Bob Whitehead will be officiating with Lackey Bradberry assisting. Pallbearers include her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Shane Graves, Bryan Graves, Paul Ammons, John Watson, Nolan Graves, Caleb Graves, Bryce Graves and special friend Al Botkin . Honorary pallbearers will include the remainder of her grandchildren, Krista Ammons and Sheryl Watson, and great grandchildren, Skylar Ammons, Peyton and Rylie Graves, Noelle and Chloe Preece, and Hope and Hunter Dailey. Visitation will be at Cason Monk-Metcalf on Thursday, January 14 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Melrose Baptist Church Building Fund.

Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.