Mary Francis (Butler) Watson passed from this earth to her eternal home in heaven on December 1, 2023, after an extended illness. Services will be Friday, December 8, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Eastland under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Eastland City Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Mary was born in Carbon, Texas to Rufus Elgar and Ophilia Ione (LeFevre) Butler on October 18, 1940. She attended school in Carbon and graduated in 1959. Mary married Kenneth R. Watson Sr. on November 14, 1959. They moved to Eastland, TX in 1960 and started their family. They were married 54 years until Kenneth’s death in 2013.
In her younger years, Mary played in Eastland softball leagues and performed in several plays with the Eastland Civic Theater. She worked as a teller at Eastland National Bank and later as a customer service representative for Southwestern Bell. After the office in Eastland closed, she enrolled at Cisco Junior College and earned her associates degree. She and Kenneth purchased Maverick Car Wash in 1980.
Mary was a member of the First Baptist Church in Eastland and a previous member of Bethel Baptist Church. Over the years she volunteered her time and services by working political elections and serving as a delegate for two state Republican conventions. She attended countless twirling exhibitions, band concerts, track meets, baseball, basketball and football games in support of her children and grandchildren.
Mary is survived by sons Kenneth Watson Jr. of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kerry Watson and wife Lisa of Carlsbad, NM and daughter Kathryn Peck and husband David of Mansfield, TX. Mary is also survived by ten grandchildren – Deidre Culberhouse, Andrea Farrell, Joshua Watson, Leslie Collins, Christopher Collins, Melissa Agee, Timothy Collins, Emily Walther, Hannah Peck and Sarah Peck. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, parents and three brothers (Gene, Bryan and Jack Butler).
The family would like to express their appreciation to Keleigh Johnson for her love and assistance with Mary’s care, life-long friend Kathy Owen and husband Norman for always being there, Richard and Connie Watson and family for their unconditional love and support, and Windell Light for his friendship and hard work at the car wash.
Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Eastland, TX.
Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.edwards-funeral-homes.com.
