Evelyn Mabel Watson

Warm and loving Evelyn Mable Watson lived a life rich in family and friends. A feisty woman, Evelyn possessed a persevering spirit and a strong will. She met each day with a tenacious attitude recognizing the gifts in both the good times and the challenging. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Evelyn was an inspiration to those she loved. The beginning of 1929 continued to ride the decade's roaring wave of peace, prosperity, and hope. The nation celebrated the recent inventions of Penicillin, the iron lung, bubble gum, and the Yo-Yo, as well as Charles Lindbergh's Congressional Medal of Honor and Amelia Earhart becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. As the wave of sweeping social and economic growth rapidly increased nowhere was their more hope for the future than in Marion, Indiana as Charles and Mildred (Blackburn) Davis welcomed their daughter Evelyn into their hearts and home on December 17. Growing up in Indiana during the 30s and 40s, Evelyn's early years formed the firm foundation upon which she built the rest of her life. The third of the Davis' four children, Evelyn and her siblings, Mable, Raymond, and Pat, learned the value of hard work and resourcefulness from a very early age. While her father worked on the railroad, her mother worked in a local factory and provided care for veterans in her home. Her parents divorced when Evelyn was quite young, and her father passed away when she was only 10 or 11. During her teen years, Evelyn met and fell in love with Joseph Wrather. The two married right out of high school and were soon blessed by the birth of their daughter Connie in 1953. Unfortunately, Joe died later that same year. Not too long after, Evelyn was blessed to find love again when she met Richard Watson. The couple married in 1954. Richard had two children from a previous marriage whom Evelyn welcomed as her own; Richard James "Jim" and Phyllis were truly her son and daughter. Evelyn and Richard moved to Michigan, and in time, they welcomed two more children to their family when John and Dennis were born. During her younger years, Evelyn enjoyed traveling. She loved driving through the mountains in Tennessee but had no desire to stay in them. She loved her trip to Hawaii and traveling to see John in California. Not much of an outdoors person, Evelyn found more pleasure in her home reading, listening to Country and Western music, sewing and crocheting, watching crime and mystery shows, and cheering on the Detroit Tigers. Her favorite all-time player was Justin Verlander, and her support for him never wavered even after he was traded. Her family learned quickly to never stand between her and the television, for if they did, they risked getting hit with a book! Evelyn's career as an RN was celebrated when she retired from Bronson Hospital after 17 years of service. In retirement, as her own health became more challenging, Evelyn was fortunate to welcome her special caregiver into her life. Not only did Deborah Morphew afford Evelyn quality care, the two quickly became both friends and family. Evelyn was a devoted member of the Scotts United Methodist Church and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Without a doubt, Evelyn's greatest joy was her family, and her heart's delight was her numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. In each of their eyes, she could see the spark of her own legacy as well as her greatest hopes for the future. Clearly, it is difficult to imagine life in the absence of Evelyn's steadfast and tenacious spirit. May it afford comfort to know that each time we face a challenge with determination, enjoy a good book, gather around the table for meatloaf, and cheer on the Tigers, we celebrate the many ways Evelyn gifted our lives. In so doing, we keep her legacy alive and inspiring others as she so inspired us. Evelyn M. Watson, of Scotts, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at the age of 89. Evelyn is preceded in death by her husbands: Richard Watson and Joseph Wrather; son: Richard James "Jim" Watson; and three siblings: Mable Jones, Raymond Vetor, and Pat Slagele. She is survived by her children: Connie Decker, of Vicksburg; Phyllis Smith, of Vicksburg; John (Diane) Watson; of CA; Dennis (Laura) Watson, of Kalamazoo; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her special caregiver and friend: Deborah Morphew, of Vicksburg. A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019, at 11am at the Scotts United Methodist Church, 8458 Wallene Street, Scotts, MI 49088. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service beginning at 10am. Burial at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Please visit Evelyn's webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can read her life story, sign the guestbook, and share a memory. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Scotts United Methodist Church and/or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269-649-1697).