Debra Watson's Obituary
Debra Lynn Smelley Watson, daughter of William and Freelen Smelley was born April 27, 1961 in Monticello, Arkansas. Saturday afternoon, July 21, 2012, she departed this life surrounded by her loving family in her Springfield home at the age of fifty-one years, two months, and twenty-four days. Although she will be deeply missed, we hold dear to the truth that we will one day meet again.
Born and raised in Arkansas, Debbie as she was known to her family and friends moved to Blue Springs, Missouri after graduating in 1978. It was there that she met Mike Dean Watson and on December 31, 1988 they were married in her mother’s home of Huntsville, Arkansas and to this union one son was born. Together they raised their family in Ozarks before moving to Arkansas to help care for her mother, then returning to Springfield, Missouri in 2010.
Debra loved her family. She tirelessly put others before herself even as her health failed. She enjoyed dancing, shopping, listening to gospel music, and the piano. But she was happiest when she was with her family, including her baby Maltese’s Heidi and Harley.
A member of Calvary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Arkansas Debbie faithfully served her Lord Jesus Christ by devoting her life to her family and friends. She loved to laugh and found joy in seeing others laugh. Debra worshiped the Lord through music, her paintings and her drawings. She created a nurturing home for those she loved.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Debbie is survived by her husband of twenty-three years Mike Watson and their son Clifton Bradshaw Watson both of the home; daughter Tomika Henry and husband Will of Ava, Missouri; and son Josh Watson of Sarasota, Florida; her grandchildren Mickayla Watson, Abigail Sparnicht, Destiny Sparnicht, Paris Henry, Michael Drake Henry; her sister Beverly Anderson of Overland Park, Kansas, her two brothers Jim Smelley of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Vernon Cox of Hensley, Arkansas; as well as several nieces, nephews and a host of other family and dear friends.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and a caring neighbor and friend Debra Lynn Watson leaves a legacy of love, laughter and joy to those she loved. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will cherish the memories she created for us all.
Services for Debra Watson will be Wednesday July 25, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in the Holman-Howe Chapel in Seymour. Burial will follow in the Seymour Masonic Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday July 24,2012 from 6 to 7 P.M. On-line condolences may be left at www.holmanhoweseymour.com. Memorial donations to the family may be left at the funeral home
What’s your fondest memory of Debra?
What’s a lesson you learned from Debra?
Share a story where Debra's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Debra you’ll never forget.
How did Debra make you smile?