Annette Watters

Born in Sheffield, Alabama, Louise Annette Jones was known by her family as Sunshine. (Pay attention; this will be on the test.)

Annette’s father, Tom Jones, was a chemist with Tennessee Valley Authority and her mother, Marguerite Annette, was a dynamic community member and voracious learner. Her little (but very tall) brother, Mike, a retired circuit judge, and his wife, Carol, still live in the Tri-Cities area. Big sister Sunshine was always Mike’s biggest advocate and cheerleader. (No, she was not on the high school squad. She never yelled. Ever.) Niece Emily is an aerospace engineer, which Aunt Annette always lauded.

Born into a family committed to community and education, Annette received her bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees from The University of Alabama. It’s also where she met the love of her life, John Watters, her devoted husband of 54 years. Annette and John both spent their careers at UA.

While it should go without saying, as this is remembrance of an Alabamian, it must be noted here that Annette was an Alabama fan. She could be seen cheering for UA at basketball, softball and gymnastics events. (They shared their coveted football tickets with friends, which was under the radar, until now.). Annette was often featured on the Coleman Coliseum Jumbotron dancing away to “YMCA” at the games. (She didn’t yell, but she could sure cut a rug.)

Beloved daughter Allison Annette completed the Watters’ already happy family. She is the third generation to be named Annette. Allison matriculated through the Tuscaloosa school system, then defected to the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating, she moved to New York City, where she met and married a very handsome and sweet Aussie, Ian, whose cooking Annette absolutely loved–though she could not always understand what he was saying with his accent.

Their son, Harvey Danger Harris, was the first to arrive, and their daughter, Harmony Sunshine Harris, followed soon after (yes, named for her grandmother). Annette doted on her grandchildren and made sure they called her by her chosen moniker: Bama. Clever (of course) and personal (Roll Tide!) — that was Annette, through and through.

Annette was insatiably curious and loved to attend lectures, performances and classes. The titles on her home bookshelf evidenced that she was a librarian by trade and nature: Cartographical Curiosities, Bad Girls of the Bible, Fashion in the Middle Ages, Place Names in Alabama and Meditations on Intention and Being. Aways a storyteller and a planner, she put the “tale” in details.

Annette’s curiosity led her to many hobbies and a sprawling social network. In the last years alone, she was a member of a book club, a bridge club and Historic Tuscaloosa. For years she took Spanish lessons and was a long-time ballroom dance student. She never turned down a lunch date. She loved to travel. She was a great listener as well as a loyal, attentive and loving friend.

As an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church her entire adult life, her church and her faith were very important to her. She loved her Sunday School class and was a member of many church committees. Hers was never the loudest voice, but her words were thoughtful and insightful. As more than one friend has said, “She sure knew how to run a meeting.”

Annette always put on lipstick; her nails were always painted; she sat up straight; and her hair was always red. She had poise and grace and diplomacy. But she also had creativity and craftsmanship: she cross-stitched and knitted and shared these gifts with others. She understood the importance of showing up and making memories with the people you love.

Annette Watters made generosity and kindness and thank you notes look effortless. She never hesitated to make hard choices. She showed us how to love each other.

We will always miss you, Sunshine. We will always feel the warmth of your love.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church (729 Paul W. Bryant Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401) on Saturday, December 20, 2025, with Rev. Penny Ruth Ford officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation at 1 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m. Burial will be a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to bring written memories of Annette Watters to the service or share them with her daughter, Allison, at [email protected], so these stories may continue to comfort the family for years to come. For those who prefer a simpler way to honor Annette, contributions may be made to the fund that will provide monthly fresh flowers for John, using the following link: https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/flowers-for-john