Velma 'Leona' Watson

Velma Leona Watson, daughter of the late F. A. and Rose Zella (Fry) Micham, was born on June 24, 1917 in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and departed this life on January 31, 2017 in Cabool, Missouri. She was 99 years, 7 months, and 7 days of age.

Leona grew up five miles north of Mountain Grove in the community of Brushy Knob where she went to school. She attended the Willow Springs Free Will Baptist Church where her family served as charter members. Leona was eleven years old when the church was organized and she was saved and baptized there. She also taught Sunday school for the little class and the junior class for several years.

On November 11, 1933, Leona and Lorence Watson were married in Mountain Grove, Missouri. Their union was blessed with two children, Darrell and Carol.

Leona loved being a house wife and cooking for her family and friends. She loved to play the piano and sing. She sang with the Old Time Gospel Singers for fifty years and also sang with the Nursing Home Singers. Leona loved to go to revivals and singings.

Besides her parents, Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Lorence, her great-grandson, Andrew Housley, two brothers, Alden Micham and Ernest Micham, and three sisters, Violet Travis, Alta Hankins, and Marie Scott.

She is survived by her son, Darrell Watson and his wife, Paula, of Springfield, Missouri, her daughter, Carol Green and her husband, Lyle, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, five grandchildren, Tina, Tammi, Terri, Darren, and Shawn, eight great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends who will greatly miss her.


Visitation: Friday, February 3, 2017 from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel

Funeral Service: Friday, February 3, 2017 at 10:00 AM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel

Burial: Willow Springs Cemetery, north of Mountain Grove

Memorial Contributions: Hospice Compassus c/o the funeral home