Margaret Johnson Johnson Watson

Margaret Virginia Johnson Watson died peacefully on Tuesday morning, September 13, 2011, bringing to a close a life full of rich experiences, a loving family, many cherished friends and a servant relationship to God and His people. She was 83 years old. A memorial service in her honor will be held on Saturday, September 24 at 11:00am at West Market Street United Methodist Church (302 West Market St.). The family will also have visitation on Friday, September 23, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home (515 N. Elm St).

Margaret was born to Arthur Ronald Johnson and Maggie Lurline Ross Johnson on March 27, 1928, in Robersonville, N.C. She was valedictorian of her class at Robersonville High School, graduating at the age of 16, whereupon she enrolled at Woman’s College (later the University of North Carolina at Greensboro). She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and later would return to UNCG to earn a Master of Education degree in Counseling, while at the same time raising a young family and maintaining a household.

Margaret married Greensboro native John C. (Jack) Watson, Jr. on September 10, 1949, and established their initial household in Greensboro. Jack was recalled to active Navy duty shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War, whereupon Margaret spent much of the early years of their marriage as a Navy wife, with stints in Norfolk, Philadelphia and Washington, before returning to Greensboro in 1954.

Margaret was an accomplished professional. Early in her working career she was a teacher in the Guilford County School system. She would later work at the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, from 1967 to 1978, where she was the Director of Community Relations. This position led to a lifelong advocacy in support of statewide programs for foster and adoptive children. Margaret ended her “formal” working career as a partner with her husband, Jack, becoming an account executive at Interstate Securities. This work partnership added to their rich marriage, ending only upon his death in 1994. They were purported to be one of very few “husband and wife” teams in the brokerage industry at the time.

Beyond work and home, Margaret was a very active community volunteer. She was active in the Junior League of Greater Greensboro and stayed involved in many leadership roles as a sustaining member. She became involved with Habitat for Humanity not long after its infancy and worked many job sites over the years, building houses alongside families who would eventually occupy their new homes. She served as President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro in 1992.

Margaret was a faithful church member, servant and disciple of Christ. She was an active member of West Market Street United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She chaired the church Council on Ministries and served in its Stephen Ministry program. Through the church’s outreach program, she provided countless hours of support and guidance to the local Montagnard and Kosovo communities, and participated in a church mission trip to Paraguay in 1999.

Margaret loved to travel. She enjoyed seeing new places, experiencing the beauty of God’s world and the many cultures of His people. She and Jack enjoyed many travels over the years while working together. Later in life, she would frequently travel with friends to places around the world she had always wanted to see. She particularly enjoyed trips to Scotland, Scandinavia, France, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Israel and Egypt. In Greensboro, Margaret maintained deep, longtime friendships. She was an avid tennis player at Greensboro Country Club, spanning five decades. She also maintained membership in many social clubs such as the Greensboro Study Club and Garden Club.

Margaret is predeceased by her husband, Jack, her parents, and her two beloved brothers, Ronald and Bill. She eagerly anticipated reunion with each in Christ’s loving arms. She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Lisa Louise Watson, John Calier Watson, III (Laurie) and William Westbrook Watson (Lynne). In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren: John Calier Watson, IV (and his wife, Tracy), Madison Lea Watson, Laura Louise Watson and Greg Peoples. Other family members include sister-in-law, Carolyn Watson Hines, cousins, Joan Myers, Mary Francis Edens and Ross Highsmith, and many nieces, nephews and their children.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either West Market Street United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 870, Greensboro, NC 27402) or Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro (P.O. Box 3402, Greensboro, NC 27402).