Billie Lee Hobbs Watson

Billie Lee Hobbs Watson, 88, our beloved Mother, Grandmother and revered family matriarch, passed away peacefully into God's hands on Friday, November 21st, 2014. Her life was a triumph and testament to her love of family, her neighborhood community and to her many brilliant pursuits in the world of art, culture and gourmet delights. With an indomitable spirit forged from The Depression and then challenged by near-fatal illness at 24, she lived each day with dignity and grace, enriching our lives, gifting us her impressive skills and inspiring us.

Billie was preceded in death in 1974 by her Texas Aggie sweetheart and husband of 28 years, Edward I. Watson III. Throughout life and more than anything else, Mother loved to be with her family. Her holiday and birthday celebrations and home-cooked dinners were legendary. She is survived by her four children: Sheridan Watson Matina of Fort Worth, Edward I. Watson IV of College Station, Cecily Watson Burleson and her husband Rick of Houston, and Christopher Lee Watson and his wife Julie Parks of Fort Worth.

Billie was blessed with five grandchildren who gave her more joy than can be described. Her beloved grandsons, Jonathan and Andrew Matina, and JR and Jeb Burleson always made her smile with pride, while grand-daughter Christen Watson and Jason Heller and their two young daughters, Avery and Lucille, were a perpetual source of mutual joy and delight for and with their "Grammy". She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and their families’.

Billie would also certainly wish to thank her dearest and longtime friends, Edna Brown, Betty Rogan and Lois Conneighton, Eloise Willingham, Sharon Philips, Midge Weigold and Gregory Balan, and the Lightfoot family, as well as her many attentive and helpful neighbors. After an amazing life, she crosses the river having blessed our lives with the knowledge that we were all truly loved.

Following an 11:30am visitation at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, services will then be held in the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, on Friday, November 28th, at 12:30pm. Interment beside her beloved Edward will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

In memory of Billie Lee Hobbs Watson please make memorial contributions to TIRR Foundation, 4605 Post Oak Place Dr., Ste.222, Houston, Texas, 77027.