Rosie Howard Watson

Rosie Howard Watson, 86, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, after a brief stay at St. Mary’s (Mercy) Resident Hospice, Halls. 

A beloved wife, mother and friend, she grew up in Harriman. When her husband, Doyal E. Watson, returned from World War II, Rockwood became their “hometown.” She was a faithful and devoted servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Until her health no longer allowed, she was an active member of the Church of Christ, teaching Sunday school and being involved in benevolent projects. She always listened and helped others. She was a member of Roane Choral Society. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Madison and Dicie Ball Howard; four sisters, Bertha Kersey, Mabell Daniels, Sally Kate Alexander and Mary Jane Gamble; five brothers, Elder Howard, Orville Howard, Wendell Howard, Roy Howard and Estel Howard; her devoted husband of 67 years, Doyal E. Watson; and a daughter, Linda Watson Matthews.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmie and Diane Watson, Rockwood; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Bob Fontana, Crossville, and Kat and Bill Eldridge, Knoxville; eight grandchildren and five spouses, Kitty Watson Honeycutt and Brian Honeycutt, Keith Watson, Kristi Gibson Johnson and Keith Johnson, Amy Gibson, Adam Matthews, Seth and Brenda Matthews, Eric and Kelly Lingerfelt and Clint and Misty Lingerfelt; 10 great-grandchildren, Libby Honeycutt, Patrick Honeycutt, Andy Watson, Isaac Watson, Amanda Reed, Becca Johnson, Sidney Matthews, Michael Gibson, Steve Parker and Alara Lingerfelt; two brothers, Leonard Howard, Florida, and Madison “Bud” Howard, North Carolina; a sister, Polly Richardson, Harriman; and caregiver and friend, Wilma Scott, Knoxville.

The family received friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, in Evans Mortuary, Rockwood. Funeral service followed, with Bro. Ernest Abston officiating. Burial was at Roane Memorial Gardens, Rockwood. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to St. Mary’s Residential Hospice, 7447 Andersonville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37938. 

 An online register is available at www.evansmortuary.net.