Mary Lou Watson

FORT MEADE - Ms. Mary Lou Waller Watson, 85, passed away Monday, August 15, 2022 in Bartow, FL. Ms. Watson was born June 12, 1937 in Metter, Georgia and has been nearly a lifelong resident of Fort Meade. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Meade where her family spanned five generations through the church, beginning with her great-grandfather who helped build the church sanctuary. Ms. Watson continued the family tradition of being active in the church and taught Sunday School, worked in the church nursery and was a former member of the Chancel Choir. She was a member of the 1955 graduating class of Fort Meade High School, where she was in the Glee Club, received the Betty Crocker Award and a member of the Honor Society. Ms. Watson loved music, and she knew the words to most hymns for memory, and enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music from easy listening and popular music, church hymns and sacred music, to classical music. Among her talents she shared in her church, she also had the talent of talking with people and organizational skills, which helped her in working as a receptionist for King Real Estate in Bartow for over 40 years.

Ms. Watson was preceded in death by her parents, Jon Ellington and Martha L. Griffin Waller; son, Stuart Wayne Watson; grandson, James Watts, Jr., and former husband, Gerald Wayne Watson.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Lydia Watts and son-in-law, Jim Watts, of Fort Meade, FL, and her sister, Lena Meyer of Bartow, FL.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2022 at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 E. Broadway, Fort Meade. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain John Sheffield officiating, and interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171