Georgie Mae Watson

Georgia Mae Watson On Saturday, Dec. 6, Georgia Mae Watson, age 101, went home to be with her Lord at a local hospital, surrounded by several family members. Mrs. Watson, had lived in Panama City the past 3 years due to a decline in her health, but spent most of her life in Jackson County, particularly, Cottondale, Florida. Born on May 4, 1907, she was raised in Graceville, the third of ten children, of Preacher Joe and Dolly Phillips. After marrying Houston Watson, she worked in cotton mills and raised two boys, Autice and Aubrey. The family moved to Cottondale in 1936, where she bought land and built a house. In 1944, with help of two hired men, she built another house, while Houston worked at the shipyard in Panama City. She did much of the physical work and hauling of materials herself. She lived in that house until June, 2005. After moving to Cottondale she was an active member of the Cottondale First Baptist Church, where she held many positions - Sunday School teacher and secretary, Vacation Bible School director, choir director, pianist and Community Missions Chairman. She unlocked the church doors each Sunday morning for over 40 years. Throughout the years, Georgia took care of the sick in the community, owned and operated a café, worked as a nurse's aid, helped her husband in his janitor job, worked in a peanut mill, had a candy-making business, organized many funeral preparations for the bereaved and helped a number of people in need in her community. She made a garden every year, grew the prettiest flower beds on the street, made her own clothes, quilted several quilts, and crocheted numerous shawls, lap robes and bedspreads. She also actively participated in numerous singing conventions. She attributed her long life to hard work and faith in God. Georgia was preceded in death by her son, Aubrey, age 20, and her husband, Houston, in 1985, after almost 60 years of marriage. She is survived by a sister, Bessie Barton; a brother, James Phillips; her son, Autice and wife Muriel; grandchildren, Linda Mix and husband John, Carol Hegler and husband Lloyd, Rick Watson and wife Betty, David Watson and wife Stacey; great-grandchildren, Jetaime Walsingham and husband Brian, John G. Mix and wife Amy, Daniel Mix and wife Kristy, Benjamin Hegler, Rebecca Pickern and husband Josh, Alex Watson, Cole Boyett, Kyle, Brad and Eric Watson; great-great-grandchildren, Nolan and Gabriel Walsingham, Michael Mix and Daniel J. Mix, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at the Cottondale First Baptist Church in Cottondale, FL, with Rev. Jack Brock officiating, assisted by Rev. Charles Key and Rev. Don Pickerill. Internment will follow at the Cottondale Methodist Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, Dec. 14, 3-5 p.m. at the James and Sikes Funeral Home in Marianna, FL. Those desiring to do so, may make a contribution to the Cottondale First Baptist Church in her memory.