Iris Bagby Watson

1927 - 2024

Iris Bagby Watson of Beatrice and Huntsville, Alabama passed onto heaven August 24, 2024. She was 97 years old and lived a wonderful, long life.

Born in Birmingham on February 2, 1927, Iris was the eldest child and only daughter of Beulah Atherton and Henry Grady Bagby. Iris loved her twin brother, Clifton, and younger brother, Bob, with all her heart and for all her life. She graduated from West End High School in 1945 and married her high school sweetheart, Thomas W. Smith, Jr., in 1946. Iris was a cheerleader and Tom was the quarterback. They had three children, Thomas "David", Walter "Scott" and Lisa Montiel – although spaced apart in ages, Iris would always say that she loved always having someone believing in Santa Claus. Their life was full as they moved with the space industry. It did not matter where they landed as Iris always made sure their home was comfortable and welcoming, and music was in the background. When Tom passed away in 1971, Iris moved to Birmingham to be close to her family. She went to work for South Central Bell and was a certified legal secretary in the tax department. She had many dear, dear friends from her work that she loved and that loved her for over 50 years. One of those very dear friends introduced her to Joe Grady Watson. Joe was able to convince her to move from the city to the country in Beatrice, Alabama – she loved it and the people of Beatrice, so it didn't really take any convincing at all. She and Joe had a wonderful marriage. She was very active in the Beatrice Garden Club where she served as president, event chair and she even typed their famous cookbook! She and Joe were known for having wonderful dinner parties and fierce games of dominos. Her coconut cake was always the top seller at their cake bakes – there is no telling how much those cakes raised in support of all things Beatrice. Iris loved her friends and family there. She loved her church, Beatrice Community Church, where she was the oldest member and led devotionals. In 2016, Iris made the decision to move to Huntsville after Joe had passed in 2008. Strong in spirit, she made these decisions with much prayer and research. Not a surprise, she jumped in her retirement community with both feet and made many sweet friends. Her children said it was hard to track her down as she was so active there. She was a voracious reader and loved Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and Hallmark.

Iris was preceded in death by her parents Beaulah and Henry Bagby, her brothers Clifton Bagby, Sr. and Bob Bagby, Sr. She was also preceded by the two great loves of her life, Tom Smith and Joe Grady Watson. Her son, Thomas David Smith, also preceded her. She is survived by her son, Scott Smith (Diane Nolin), Landrum, South Carolina, and daughter Lisa Smith May (Gerald), Memphis, Tennessee. She is survived by three grandchildren that loved her so much - Zachary Smith, Huntsville, Alabama; Meriweather Adams, Bentonville, Arkansas and Richard Adams III (Clair Caldwell), Memphis, Tennessee. Iris leaves behind her sister-in-law, Kate Bagby, and her daughter-in-law, Tammy Grayson both she loved dearly. She has many nieces and nephews that will miss her, too.

Graveside services will be on Saturday, September 24th at 2:00 at the Pineville Cemetery in Beatrice, Alabama. Johnson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. Pastor Terry Harden is officiating.

Memorials can be sent to the Beatrice Garden Club for the Veterans Memorial Garden at PO Box 316, Beatrice, Alabama 36425, or The Le Bonheur Club at 1047 Crestwood Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.