WATSON

Rose Thomas Watson, PhD, former resident of Cincinnati, OH, global citizen, life-long educator, beloved Mother, wife, sister and friend, passed away on July 31, 2014 while sleeping peacefully, surrounded by her children and husband. She would have been 83 on August 21st, after bravely fighting kidney cancer. "Dr. Mom," as she is affectionately known, lived and worked in over 20 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Professor Carlos Watson, Sr, and their children: Carla Crystal Rieger, MD, PhD (Michael Rieger); Carlos Watson, Jr., JD, entrepreneur and CEO of OZY.com; Carolyn Watson, PhD (ABD) from NYU and Beverly Watson, JD, Vice President at Laureate Education. She has two grandchildren: Alexandra Rose and Michael David Rieger. She was predeceased by her parents, Jeannette Anderson Thomas and Rev. Otto Minor Thomas. She is survived by her six sibling: Lois Blackshear (Lonnie Blackshear, Mildred Chaney (William Chaney, Otto Thomas (Eloise Thomas), Susie Carolyn Thomas (K.M. Thomas, Jeannette Shegog (Don Shegog, MD), and Dr. James Arond-Thomas (Manya Arond-Thomas); and over 30 nieces and nephews. The Celebration of Life Services will occur on Monday, August 11th at Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, CA at 10am. To learning more about the services or to The Rose T. Watson Memorial Fund, please see: spanglermortuary.com

Click Here to Send Flowers

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Cincinnati Enquirer on Aug. 10, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Rose WATSON

10 Entries

Peter Rutherford

August 4, 2024

We here in the Bahamas are eternally grateful for encountering this beautiful Rose in our Garden of Life

Peter Rutherford

August 5, 2021

Aunt Rose was an international personality who touched lives near and far. My family in the Bahamas will always be indebted for the outpouring of love that she shared with my mom when we were you. Hers was a live well lived and a legacy well earned.

Peggy Hooper

November 16, 2014

I met Rose in 1957 at our training program for the 3-year missionary program of the United Methodist Church. She was a valued member of the group and we know she did some wonderful work in Angola following our training session. In recent years Rose joined us at two of our reunions of our 1957 training group, and it was wonderful to see her again. She was an inspiration to us and always a willing contributor to our discussions and "memory sessions". At our last reunion in Nashville in 2012, her daughter Carolyn came with her. In spite of her cancer treatments and a broken foot, she was always cheerful and supportive. We will always remember her with love and thankfulness to God that we shared even a small part of her productive, joyful life.

Thelma James Palmer

August 11, 2014

I knew Rose from Bowling Green,Va.May she rest in peace.

Esme and Grandsons

August 10, 2014

Esmeralda Rutherford

August 10, 2014

TRIBUTE TO ROSE T. WATSON
I met Rose Watson in 1974 as a mature student (Post-SRN, SCM, MTD. -UK), who was then completing upper division credits, towards a BSc. in Health Science, at FIU. Rose was then International Student Advisor.

As an international student on a Government –sponsored/approved Study Leave, it was a challenge to maneuver in a somewhat different academic environment – different, for the most part, from the apprenticeship –based British style of previous study programs to which I had been accustomed.

As a young mother, with two small children, (ages 4½ and 2 ½) and with one ‘bun in the oven', and a broken marriage, mine was nosmall situation to manage. Rose, in her own way divinely- positioned herself, took charge and guided me through the settling in process, and my transition to a successful and timely completion.

I was housed with a relative in Coral Gables. My children had been taken to Washington, DC. and were left in the care of my mother (for the summer), and a brother and sister-in-law and their young family.

Sam was born in September of that year.

The scenario was repeated the following summer (1975) –end of May to end of August. By this time there were three children –aged 5 ½, 4, and 8 months.
My mother's stay in Washington, DC. was cut short, and she had to return home, because her son, my youngest brother, had become seriously ill.

With 6 weeks of my academic program yet to be completed, I collected the children, returned to Florida, and at the invitation of this dear sister, brought them to the family home in Homestead – to her home, where there were already 4 small children.

That unselfish gift of caring and love was a priceless demonstration of her kindness that cannot be quantified. Thus because of her generosity, I was able to complete my studies. I was at peace knowing that the children were in a safe environment, and although I was distressed beyond measure at times, Rose, Carmella, and Carlos buffered me through the most challenging period of my life.
How can I forget the sisterly concern, the laughter, the shared meals, the piles of clothes, and theendless sound advice that came from her compassionate demeanor?

I can think of no one else who would have sacrificed and cared enough to, without a single hesitation, open her home in such a fashion. If she is to be faulted, it would be for her generous heart, her determination to help others succeed, and her sacrificial and unselfish giving.

Rose's life will forever be reflected in the lives of my children – each of them – who are now mature and productive adults. It is so ironic that some 40 years later Rose's passing has brought us allto a fullcircle as I observe the generation that is now before my children.

Pastor Patrick, God's minister of the gospel, sends his daughter, my oldest grandchild, off to begin her freshman year at university in 1 week. His other daughter and 2 sons are well.Peter, a CPA by profession, has 3 sons who are doing well in school.Dr. Samuel has finished his PhD in Educational Leadership and shortly assumesthe position of Administrator in one of the top private school systems in the Bahamas. He also has 2 sons. Other than their faith, without reservation, the standards and benchmarks set by Rose on my life now continue to be the underlying fortitude that lead and guide my children and grandchildren in the pursuit of all of their academic endeavors.

Needless to say, it is without a doubt that to Rose that I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude, for not only did she help to stabilize my own faith in a gracious God, but she more importantly also restored my faith in the power of the human spirit –so precious and lasting; and faith in family, the support of which, produces the kind of indomitable strength that sinks its roots deep and allows us to dig within and weather the many tumultuous storms and crises that come our way during our lifetime.

Rose unreservedly accepted me as a friend, and even embraced my sister, Mary, as her friend, and over the years although we were miles apart that bond has not changed. On the few occasions that our paths have crossed since that time, our reunions were ever new and always refreshing.

Due to declining health, I am no longer able to travel far afield, and so deeply regret that I am unable to be share and memorialize her life with you today.So on behalf of all of us here in the Bahamas we send our condolences.

To you, Rose's family, especially the children and grandchildren, if love could have held her I know that Rose would be here today. Be comforted beyond earthly measure in the fact that her legacy and esteemed memories will live on in you and be reflected in the lives of your offspring. Each of you are precious to me - you may not see me, or perhaps know me well, or even remember what I look like, but to God be the glory, and may His name be forever praised for the life of one Rose Watson who allowed herself to be used phenomenally.
Rose Watson: CHARMING, CHARISMATIC AND CARING
A GOOD WOMAN ASTRONG WOMAN
A GRACIOUS WOMAN A SMART WOMAN
A WOMAN OF COURAGE A WOMAN OF HEART

We salute her and embed her values in our memories. The life she lived speaks volumes for her, and will continue to speak long after we will have left this scene.

Mary Cage

August 10, 2014

I am so happy I had the opportunity to meet Sis. Rose. I knew of her through my sister who lives in Miami, Fl. Rose was a wonderful person. I will miss her.

August 10, 2014

Dr. Mom was a great human been, a kind person. She should be in the memory of our loving God. Psalm 34:6. She was always helping and encouraging to every one who need her. Family Rivero.

Nancy Wilson young

August 10, 2014

What a great human being. We had many interesting conversations. May she rest in eternal peace.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results