Gladys Austin Hovater Watson, 90, of Florence departed this life Wednesday, October 01, 2008 at home surrounded by her family.
The funeral service will be held at 2 o''clock at Elkins Chapel, Florence. Visitation will be at the funeral home one hour preceding the service. Interment will be in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, W.T. (Bill) Watson; two sons, Greg Watson (Beverly) and Garry Watson (Pam) all of Florence; four grandsons, Gregory Watson (Britton), Florence, Ty Watson (Misty), Florence, Zach Watson (Robin), Madison, AL, and Gil Watson, Florence; seven great grandchildren, Win, Austin Hall and Lotti Watson, Florence, Jackson and Cody Watson, Florence, and Hadley Beth and Jace Watson, Madison, AL; a sister, Eloise Brown of Huntsville, AL; two sisters-in-law, Stella Calloway, Florence, and Rumell Hovater, Russellville; nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents Austin and Henrietta Hovater of Russellville; a brother, Carl Hovater, Russellville, and brother-in-law, Walter Calloway, of Florence.
Mrs. Watson loved her Church, Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ, Florence, and treasured time spent with her family and friends. She had a special affection for working with children. She taught elementary school for many years. She retired from Powell School.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, her oldest great grandson, and Doug Murphy. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Aldridge, Tommy Thompson, J.T. Darby and the Elders at Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ.
Sid Fulford will officiate with Kenny Barfield, and Joe VanDyke. Elkins Funeral Home of Florence is directing.
The family wishes to thank Blue Water Hospice and special friend Tracy Miller for the devoted loving care she gave their wife and mother during her illness.
Anyone wishing to sign the online register may do so at www.elkinsfh.com.