Mary Lou Watson

She was born in Elkton KY, on September 6, 1921, the daughter of Pascal Onan Stokes and Cora Helen (Salmon) Stokes. Mary Lou eloped with Robert Lee (Bob) Watson on December 23, 1938. On that day, they travelled from Elkton to Russellville, KY, where they were married by Bob’s cousin, an ordained Methodist minister. They remained married for over 75 years, raised three children, and passed from this life within months of one another.

Mary Lou was an active Sunday School teacher, as well as a counselor for many years at the Santa Claus summer youth camp. She was a Gold Lady volunteer, with thousands of hours of service at Evansville State Hospital. She was one of the organizers of the Gavel Club, which took hospital patients on monthly outings to dinners sponsored by area churches and civic organizations. She and her husband were life-long members of the Gideons International and together they distributed tens of thousands of the New Testament to students, soldiers and others. Mary Lou and Bob loved to square dance, hosting weekly dances for many years in the hand-hewn timber-framed barn on the family farm.

During World War II, she worked at Republic Aviation building P-47 Thunderbolt fighters. Although not an official “Rosie the Riveter” she did deliver and distribute all the rivets used. Mary Lou worked in retail at the Main Street location of the Evansville Store and Hamburg’s. Later, she was a dental hygienist for many years, working for Dr. Bishop, Dr. Hopkins and Dr. Rheinlander.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, who passed in August, 2014. She is also preceded in death by two infant siblings, Verbie and Lawrence Stokes; three additional siblings who lived to adulthood, Orphie Florence Stokes, Forrest Garfield Stokes and Morris Hubert Stokes; as well as one granddaughter, Mary Rebecah Sutton.

She is survived by her three children, Nancy L. Montgomery, widow of Wayne E. Montgomery, of Evansville, IN, Bettye June Sheppard, widow of Victor Sheppard, of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and Robert Stephen (Steve) Watson, Ph.D. and wife Zell Watson, of Brooklyn , NY. Also, Mary is survived by 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was among the finest of mothers and a devoted and loving wife. She worked tirelessly for her family, her church and for the downtrodden. May her beloved soul rest in eternal peace.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, December 19, 2014, at Old North United Methodist Church, 4201 Stringtown Road, Evansville, officiated by Rev. Mike Monahan with entombment at Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Thursday, 4-8 PM, at Alexander North Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Old North United Methodist Church or Gideons International. In this way, Mary Lou’s faith and belief in the Holy Scriptures may continue to be a part of her legacy on Earth.