Eva Ruth Boykin Watson

Eva Ruth Boykin Watson died peacefully after an extended illness on April 27, 2011, at her home in Grant, Ala. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel. Dr Joel Samuels, pastor of First Baptist Church of Guntersville, Ala., Mrs. Watson’s home church, will officiate. Burial will follow at Lake Park Hills Cemetery with The Reverend Jerry Piercey officiating. A Jones County native, Mrs. Watson was born on July 2, 1918 to the late Henry Winston and Cordova Vaughn Boykin, the sixth of nine children. Mrs. Watson married Clarence Glen Watson on July 13, 1935, and they were blessed with three children. Mrs. Watson strongly supported her husband in business and at home. They worked as partners in her father-in-law’s restaurant, before opening their own businesses, Frosty Treat, and Dixie Distributor’s Warehouse in Laurel. In 1964, they opened the popular C.G’s Restaurant where Mrs. Watson was actively involved in running the business. Mrs. Watson was involved in charitable affairs at the Salvation Army and Wildwood Baptist Church, where she and her husband worked and worshipped for over 40 years. Mrs. Watson taught Sunday School at every level, from nursery to senior adults, touching many lives with God’s word and His love. She served others without expecting recognition. She was a perfect example of the Godly Woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 which begins “who can find a virtuous woman’? For her price is for above rubies.” KJV Mr. and Mrs. Watson celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on July 13, 1985. Following retirement, they traveled throughout the United States and Canada, carrying their grandchildren, ages 4 through 18, on one memorable three-week cross country trip. In 1996 at age 78, Mrs. Watson moved to Grant, Ala., to be near her daughter. She continued her church life at First Baptist Church of Guntersville where she made many friends and enjoyed traveling with the senior group. Mrs. Watson was preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings, Connie Boykin, Vera Boykin Mapp, Vivian Boykin Flynt, Claude Boykin, Wilma Boykin Sewell, Lamar Boykin, and Fletcher Boykin. Survivors include a daughter, Freya Watson Bailey (Jerry Thomas) of Grant, Ala., sons, Clarence Nelson Watson (Mary) of Baton Rouge and Truett Nathan Watson (Marsha) of Madison; brother, Henry “Hank”Boykin of Ellisville; grandchildren, Gregory Watson, Jay Bailey, Karen Watson, Paige Farrish, Paula Steuer, and Scott Watson (Lee Anne); great-grandchildren, Gregory Watson, Deborah Watson, Kelsey Watson, Aidan Farrish, Swade Watson, Eva Farrish, Ryan Watson, and Raimey Watson. Extended family members George and Judy Smith, of Grant, provided loving support to Mrs. Watson and her family. Pallbearers are Jerry Boykin, Hilton, Boykin, Trulon Boykin, Greg Watson, Jay Bailey, and Scott Watson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ‘Lillies of the Valley’, an ovarian cancer support and awareness group (2002 Danbury Circle SW, Huntsville, Ala. 35803), or the American Heart Association. Visitation will be Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10-11 a.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home.

Eva Ruth Boykin Watson

July 2, 1918 - April 27, 2011