Maredith Ilene Watson

Maredith Ilene "Nena" Watson, a lifetime resident of Arkansas City, KS, passed away on

Saturday morning, March 7, 2025. Maredith was the fourth child and oldest daughter of the late

Pastor John Henry and First Lady Dorothy Watson. Maredith graduated from Arkansas City High

School in 1967. Afterwards, she attended and then graduated from Cowley County Junior

College in 1969. Finally, she attended Southwestern College in Winfield, KS and graduated with

a Bachelor of Science (Education) in 1971.

Maredith taught for 39 years in the Arkansas City Public School System. She was

passionate about education. She began her career as a reading specialist and the remainder of her

career she taught 2

nd

and 5

th

grade at the Adams, Pershing, and Jefferson Elementary Schools.

Maredith was a dedicated and active member of the St. James Church of God in Christ,

serving at one point as the Youth President and later serving on the Deacons Board, as the

primary church administrator. She will be sorely missed.

Maredith was preceded in death by her parents: Pastor John Henry and Lady Dorothy

Mae Watson; three brothers: Ronald Eugene Watson, John Henry Watson, Jr., and Bruce Dean

Watson; and one adopted sister: Delphia Neal Jennings.

Maredith leaves to mourn three siblings: Constance Louise Rowe, Edward Randolph

Watson, and Brenda Darlene Hall (Larry); her beloved nieces and nephews: LaTrisha Elaine

Walton, Anitris Ilene Davidson, Jimmy Williams, Joni Dupree Watson, Stephanie Janell (Jamel)

Barnes, Edward Randolph Watson, II, Saxx Williams, Nisha Meza, Luellic Elmer Rowe, III

(Kristi), Michael Segree, and Schylur Matthew Watson; a host of great nieces and great nephews;

godchildren: Bishop William H. Watson, III, Dr. Corey Yeager, Andre Newton, Daniel J.

Jennings, and Tremaine Watson; her church family – St. James Church of God in Christ, the

James Watson District, Kansas Southwest Jurisdiction, and a gaggle of colleagues and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. James Church of God in Christ

Sunday School Department