Lita Lea Watson

Lita Lea (Smallwood) Watson, age 86, died on December 31, 2017 from flu complications. Lita Lea Smallwood was born on May 28, 1931 she was the daughter to Veta Elizabeth Smallwood, and sister to Ruby Smallwood. Lita was raised in a small town in Loudoun County -- Lovettsville, Virginia -- where her family owned and operated a general store and boarding home. Lita attended Lovettsville High School where she was a star basketball player. At 5’1”, Lita received a scholarship to William and Mary college, but had to forgo the opportunity to stay home and help support her family. After graduating from L.H.S., Lita went to work for a loan company where she met Lieutenant Robert J. Watson. It was love at first sight and the couple married on January 20, 1951 at The Chapel in Arlington, Virginia. Her husband’s career in the military took them and her mother, Veta E. Smallwood, on a journey from Army base to Army base across the United States, and overseas to Germany. During those trips, the family grew…Jeannine and Bobby were born in Virginia; Kevin in Germany. After traveling home on ship from Europe with the little-ones in tow (and Grammy, too!) they soon had another member of the family: Mary Elizabeth (Beth), born in Buffalo, New York. By the early ‘60’s the family had relocated to El Paso, Texas, where Frederic Michael was born. It was in El Paso that Lita began her career as a leading representative for Sarah Coventry Jewelry. She continued in that role as the family moved around the country accompanying Bob on his increasingly prestigious military career.

After the Watsons settled in Southern California, Lita became involved in the personnel industry and, after several years working for Snelling & Snelling, she met Dan Bedard, who took notice of Lita’s ambition, work ethic, and personality, and together they created Dennis & Dennis, Personnel Services. Lita soon became very active in the employment industry serving on the State Board of Directors for the California Employment Association, which would later be named CAPC. With her unbridled enthusiasm and leadership skills, Lita quickly rose through various levels of the Association before becoming President in 1984. It was at CAPC that she was lovingly crowned “Queen” -- a name that stayed with her the rest of her life. Lita worked tirelessly to achieve success. She had a special way about her that always

made people feel at ease. She was an outstanding boss and gave generously to those who worked for her -- she took an entire, high-performing office on an all-expense-paid trip to Hawaii. After retiring from the personnel industry, Lita started her own business while helping her husband with his extensive work on behalf of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOCO). It was at that time Lita became Executive Director of the California Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, where she continued to place jewels in her crown as the group’s beloved “Queen.” As one of the Presidents of the college

wrote: “She had a wonderful spirit, indomitable energy and kindness to so many people. Her very unique skill of integrating fun and fundamentals was novel and effective.” Lita retired when her husband and love of her life, Bob, died in 2006.

Soon after, Lita herself had to overcome a number of health issues, including cancer…but that didn’t stop Lita Watson. Lita was a force-of-nature. She had a larger-than-life personality who had a talent for bringing others into the limelight to shine as bright as the stars. She enjoyed being the center of attention, but she was a loyal friend, wife, mother, and daughter. Lita loved to host, cook, and entertain. It was her passion. She had parties for both business and pleasure. When her table was set, it was food fit for a king, and she loved being the hostess. She also made sure people didn’t spend the holidays alone. It didn’t matter if it was Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter – the family always had an extra seat for whoever wanted to join the festivities. Lita’s family, friends, and business colleagues were everything to her and she made a point of making them feel loved, and welcomed. She helped anyone who asked, who needed anything. She gave to numerous charities, and to people she didn’t even know. Lita will be remembered for her abilities as a capable businesswoman, loving friend, wonderful hostess, daughter, mother, grandmother, and, as Bob Watson always said,“The love of my life.”

Lita lived her life by three words: Live, Love, Laugh.