Edna Earle Watson, 98

ROSEBORO

Edna Earle Richardson Watson, 98, passed away peacefully on August 19th, 2017 at Sampson Regional Medical Center. She was born on June 6th, 1919 to the Annie Lois Blue Richardson and William Harrison Richardson in Hoke County. The family moved to Lakeview, NC, where Edna Earle had a happy childhood and graduated from Vass Lakeview High School as Valedictorian in 1936.

Education grew to become a constant and cherished part of her life as she graduated in Biology at Women’s College (University of North Carolina at Greensboro) and later earning her Master’s Degree in Education from East Carolina University. She retired in 1982 after a 30 year teaching career which included Guilford, Anson and Sampson County schools. Throughout her career as a Guidance Counselor and Educator she was instrumental in encouraging and guiding students to higher education opportunities. She was recognized for her service and received the UNCG Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992.

Edna Earle is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph Allen Watson. He proposed marriage on Christmas Eve 1945 and they were married August 11th, 1946.

They kept a busy life in Roseboro between their involvement in Roseboro and Lakewood High Schools and Roseboro United Methodist Church. The family loved to camp and annual camping trips to the Outer Banks, became a cherished family tradition. Once retired, Allen and Edna Earle traveled the world together. They traveled numerous times to Europe, always makings stops where Allen was stationed during the war. They loved to visit Panama, Mexico, Hawaii, The Caribbean, and across the United States with great friends and relatives.

Allen and Edna Earle celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 11th, 1996 before he passed away that September.

Edna Earle has spent the last 20 years enjoying life with her numerous friends and family and keeping up with her 4 grandchildren. Her circle of friends of all ages was very extensive as she always enjoyed good conversations with friends and family.

Edna Earle is survived by her daughters Carol Ann Watson, Mae Alene Watson, Susan Earle Watson and husband Tim Smith, and her grandchildren Julian Nipper, Harrison Smith, Hannah Nipper, and Caroline Smith.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful care-takers for their love and loyalty over the past several years which enabled her to live at her home until recently. The staffs with Sampson Regional and Mary Gran Nursing/Rehab gave excellent care while allowing her to transition to the next phase of her eternal life.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm Tuesday, August 22 at Butler Funeral Home in Roseboro and from 12:00-12:45pm Wednesday in the Church Sanctuary prior to the service.

A Celebration of her life will be held at 1:00pm Wednesday, August 23 at Roseboro United Methodist Church, 300 N. Broad Street, Roseboro, with Reverend Bobby Herring and Reverend Bryan Sexton officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Lakeview.

Memorials may be made to UNCG Sampson County Alumni Chapter, Faye West Warren Scholarship Program, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402 and reference “Edna R. Watson” or to any other educational organization or charity of your choice.

Services are by Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro.