Wilma L. Watson

Wilma Louise Watson (nee Reynolds) 68, of Chattanooga entered the Church triumphant on May 18, 2017 after a brief illness.  “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4: 6-8.

She was born to the late Herman and Hazel Reynolds on December 22, 1948 at her family home, and descends from one of the oldest families in Hamilton County.  She was raised and nurtured by her paternal aunt and uncle Mattie and Arthur Bowers, and was considered one of their own.  They welcomed her into their home when she was 2 months old.  She attended Mowbray Elementary, Soddy-Daisy High School, and McKenize Business College.  There she met her husband, Marshall Watson.  They went on many lunch dates to Nikki’s and Finn’s on the river.

Marshall and Wilma were married on December 20, 1968 at Mowbray Baptist Church, and a little more than a year later they welcomed their first child, Lena Ann Watson.  Prior to Marshall’s deployment to Vietnam the Army took them to Fort Hood, Texas.  Wilma would recount stories of their time in Texas and remark about how much she hated Texas because Lena cried a lot, and she burnt all their meals on the gas stove. 

A job transfer took the family to Montgomery, Alabama in 1980.  There the family would welcome a second child, Michael.  

Not one to be idle, Wilma devoted her time to serving others through her work, her church, or whatever her children volunteered her to do. Wilma started her professional career with Fox Brothers in Chattanooga.  She also worked in the Trust Department at American National Bank, Durr-Fillauer in Chattanooga and Montgomery, Erlanger Hospital where she helped develop the material management computer system in collaboration with Matcon and was instrumental in the purchase of the first Life Force helicopter, and ended her career with Kenco Logistics where she managed their customer service.  She was an active member of the Women of the Church at Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church where she served as president, and was a youth leader, and most recently active with the Women’s Ministry at Frist Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  Always ready to volunteer her, Michael and Lena signed her up for numerous projects at school and in the community; from prom decorating, to equipment hauler for the band, to fruit sales or helping with fundraisers for various organizations.  Her favorite past-time was insuring that her home was always in order and clean.  She lived the statement, “cleanliness is next to godliness.” She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.   She was a former member of Memorial Presbyterian Church-Montgomery, Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church-Chattanooga, and was currently a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church-Chattanooga.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wm. Herman Reynolds, Hazel M. Reynolds (Leland) Roberts, and Mattie and Arthur Bowers, Her in-laws:  Wm. Clyde and Mary Watson, Her siblings:  Addie L. Bowers, Creighton Taylor, and Wanda Milligan.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 48 years Marshall C. Watson, daughter Lena (Richard) McNabb, son Michael C. Watson, (all of Chattanooga) and special daughter and her family Christa (Cory) Lovelace, Catey and Claire of Franklin, TN.  Her siblings:  Linda (Charles) Proctor of Chattanooga, Connie (Lamar) Carr of Soddy-Daisy, Ed (Charlene) Taylor of Soddy-Daisy, brothers-in-law Marty (Teresa) Watson of Chattanooga, Herman Milligan of Soddy-Daisy, sisters-in-law Melinda (Wade) Walraven of Chattanooga, Carolyn Taylor Beadle of Soddy-Daisy, and her special sister-in-law Mildred Frazier of Sale Creek, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Service of the Resurrection will be Monday, May 22nd at 2pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road, Chattanooga with Drs. Courtney Kruger and Bill Dudley officiating.   Service of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, May 23rd at the National Cemetery-Chattanooga 11:30am.  Pallbearers will be:  Keith Cawley, Henry Fairley, Graham Hines, Cory Lovelace, Ed Reeves, and Wade Walraven.

The family would like to thank the staff of CHI Memorial Hospital for their compassionate and attentive care during Wilma’s brief illness.  The doctors, nurses, CNAs, and administrative staff of the 5th Floor North and the CCU surrounded us with love and support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CHI Memorial Foundation to benefit Revolutionary Heart Care at CHI Memorial, The Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation-Bereavement Programming, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, or First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411.

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences to the family and view the memorial tribute.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 4-8 pm at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road. and 1-2 Monday at the church.

 Service Information