Barbara Catherine Watson

Barbara Smith Watson, a devoted mother and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, at the age of 89. She was born on December 1, 1936, in Winnfield, Louisiana, and was the daughter of Jeff and Hazel Rayburn Smith.

She graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1954 of LaSalle High School. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she taught children's classes, sang in the choir, and was chairman of the first Hanging of the Greens Service. She was known for being a very classy, well-dressed lady, at all times. She loved working in her yard, and spending time with family. Her love of travel took her to 49 states, as well as Austria, Switzerland, and Canada. She loved music and taught piano lessons for many, many years. Her legacy lives on, as several of her students are pianists in West Monroe area churches.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by the love of her life, her husband of 66 years, O.C. Watson, sister in law Elaine Buckley and husband Sidney, Polly Rayburn Stewart and husband Gordon and Gary Rayburn.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Lisa Carpenter, grandchildren, Claire Griffin and fiancé Mitchell Harvey, Christopher Carpenter and wife Maddy, brother in law Melton Watson and wife Susan, cousins Sharon Brian and husband Sammy, Johnny Stewart and wife Maggie, and other extended family members.

A private service and celebration of Barbara's life will be held at Griffin Funeral Home on Warren Drive on Thursday, February 5 at 2 pm with Charles Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Claire Griffin, Christopher Carpenter, Mitchell Harvey, Scott Love, Kyle Gwin, and Matt Williams.

Special thanks to Courtyard Rehab and Health, and to Arbor Hospice. Heartfelt thank you to Connie Wallace, Jackie McGhee, Matlynne Franklin, Brittany Mooney, Rose Mary Reynolds, Lexie Robinson, Brigetta Smith, and Lisa Tucker.