Thelma R Watson

Thelma Ruth (Meyer) Watson passed away peacefully on October 17 at the age of 101. She was born to Helen Matilda (Weber) Meyer and Walter Frederick Meyer on April 11th, 1920 on the family farm near Midway Indiana, Spencer County.

She graduated from Chrisney High School in 1938 and as a young woman struck out on her own in Evansville Indiana where she achieved a license to practice cosmetology, and became a manicurist and hairstylist. There she met and married army veteran Casey Lee Watson. In 1950 she had a daughter Cheryl Sue Watson, who following in her footsteps, also left home as a young woman and made her own way in the world (training and working in many cities, and eventually working as a Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston TX, where Thelma visited). Thelma switched marital status and careers in the 1950s and was a dedicated employee at Mead Johnson & Company/Bristol Myers as a laboratory technician for 35 years. She was a member of a variety of organizations including Howell Methodist and Baptist Churches, and the American Business Women’s Association. She had many adventures, including travel around Europe and bus trips with her friends. She also enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, and bowling. She was famous for her angel food cakes, divinity candy, and other desserts for our family and charity events. After retirement she worked for several years as a Pink Lady volunteer in the Deaconess Hospital Gift Shop and at a food bank.

She is the last of her generation in our family, preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald Kingsley (wife Jean) Meyer, infant son David, and an infant sister.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl, niece Joyce (husband James) Tuley who played a significant role in her care in her last years along with daughters Arlene and Anita, and niece Janis Sisley and nephew Leon Meyer. On the Watson side of her family, she will be missed greatly by her grandniece Jeri Ann Jones and grandnephews (Thomas and Chris Baron). She also leaves or is predeceased by many other nieces, and grand- and great-nieces and nephews. Thelma also adored her canine kids of years past, Popeye, Josephine, and Charlie.

Thanks also to the kind people who cared for her in the last several years of her life at Hamilton Pointe Assisted Living Facility in Newburgh IN, and the many former co-workers, friends, advisors, and neighbors that visited her there.

Her family will hold a private graveside memorial ceremony at Alexander Memorial Park at some time post-pandemic.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Thelma with donations to charities of your choice.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.