Sharon Watson Kress

FORT MEADE - Sharon Watson Kress, age 64, formerly of Fort Meade and currently of Belleview, FL passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Sharon will be remembered for her trademark smile, enthusiasm, determination, creativity and her faith in God. Born in Bartow, FL on May 10, 1956 to Hart and Nell Watson of Fort Meade, FL She was brought up and baptized in the First Baptist Church of Ft Meade. As a teen, she was an active participant in the church’s Good Seed Youth Choir, Mission Trips and assisted her parents in serving in the church’s Migrant Ministry. When not in school or at church, she could be found working in her mother’s dress boutique, “Nell’s Fashion” in both Fort Meade and Bartow.

Sharon was a 1974 graduate of Fort Meade Jr./Sr. High School, and went on to attend the University of South Florida, where she studied Sociology. In the most recent years of her career, she was employed with Marion County Schools as a Para-Professional for Kindergarten students and their teachers. Her previous career experiences have also included, serving as a House Parent for the Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Miami and having worked along side of her parents in The Florida Campers on Mission ministries program traveling to campgrounds and witnessing to others. Following her move of residence to Belleview, she became an active member of the First Baptist Church of Belleview, FL.

Sharon is survived by her sister, Virginia Dickinson Hancock (Charles), Vero Beach, FL; her Aunt, Marilyn Henderson, Lakeland, FL and her cousins: Betty Elwell Newsom (Marc) – Fort Meade, FL; Barbara Rehwinkel (Al) and Deborah Henderson Merritt (Jeff) of Tallahassee, FL; Janet Henderson Bartuska (George) – Lakeland, FL; Diane Goff-Howell and Pat Goff Owen (Jack) – Defuniak Springs, FL; Juanita Prescott (Jimmy) – New Tazewell, TN; Wanda Sue Taylor – Sorrento, FL; Linda Faye Bailey and Iris Marie Darby (Mike) of Leesburg, FL.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Hart and Nell Watson; grandparents – Ralph J. Henderson and Mamie Henderson; Thomas L. Watson and Teddie S. Hart Watson; Aunts, Betty Lou Elwell, Estelle Langford, Frances Richardson, Artie Goff; Uncles, John Elwell, Jack Henderson, Seth Richardson, J. B. Goff and Cousin, Melita Ann Davis. The family would like to acknowledge special thanks for their loving care for Sharon over the years to Cammie Gordon_(Ocala, FL), and Peggy Stamatopoulos (Inglis,FL)

Due to public need for COVID-19 sheltering in place, a small private graveside service will be held at a future date. Memorial donations can be made to The Florida Baptist Children’s Home/ One More Child – P.O. Box 8190 Lakeland, FL 33802; Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind – 206 Avenue D N.W., Winter Have, FL 33881;
or the American Diabetes Association – Florida, 2301 Maitland Center Pkwy, Suite 126, Maitland, FL 32765.

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