Patricia Joyce Watson

Patricia "Pat" Joyce (Rushing) Watson, 84, embarked on her final journey into the loving arms of Christ on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Public viewing will from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM with a family visitation from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.
Mrs. Watson was born on September 25, 1940 in Loving, New Mexico to George Ray Rushing and Mary Elizabeth (Harris) Rushing. For much of her adult life, Pat and Louis owned and operated Watson's Drive-In Grocery store in Sterling City, Texas. Over the years, many friends and family had a part in making the store a successful small business. While Louis whistled in the meat market, Pat was burning up the adding machine behind the counter, totaling the customer's charge accounts. For many years, she was an active member at First Baptist Church in Sterling City, a devoted bridge player, and a constant presence and "official" scorekeeper" at her husband's, children's, and grandchildren's athletic events. She never met a ref or an ump she didn't mind grading. She never missed a Cowboys game, a golf tournament, or a Hallmark Christmas movie on TV.
Pat battled cancer three times in her life, along with other life-threatening ailments, and did so with grace and strength, no doubt derived from her strong abiding faith. If anyone deserves a halo for enduring all the hardship that life can throw a person's way, she deserves a closet full.
She is survived by her three sisters, Elizabeth Jenkins and husband Orvie of San Angelo, Barbara McAda of Portland, Oregon, and Glenda Jones and husband Paul of Denison, three children, Jimmy Watson and wife Annie of Weimar, Debra Ledbetter and husband Ron of San Angelo, and Jeffrey Watson and wife Kelly of Denton. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, including step-grandchildren and in-laws; twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces, some of which she had a hand in raising. She is preceded in death by her parents, her devoted husband, Aubrey Louis Watson, and her four brothers, Darrell Rushing, Kenneth Rushing, David Rushing, and Larry Rushing.
The family would like to express gratitude to Ballinger Home Health & Hospice, Lyndale Assisted Living, special care givers Stephanie and Shelly and her own Private Nurse - her granddaughter Kayla.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Life Church, Flood Recovery, 3301 TLC Way, San Angelo, Texas 76901.