Thara Ann "Ann" Watson

Thara Ann Watson, age 89, of Chappell Hill, and the widow of John E. Watson passed away on February 2, 2026.
Thara "Ann" was born in Wallace, N.C. on December 29, 1936 to John C. and Thara (Biggs) Campbell. The seventh of eight children, she was the last surviving sibling. She cherished her faith & her family. She spent a great deal of her childhood in North and South Carolina, as well as Georgia and Texas.
Ann, as most of us knew her, attended schools in North Carolina and Texas. She graduated from Baylor School of Nursing and devoted herself to caring for others as a nurse at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco. During this time, she was introduced to John Watson through a mutual friend. He swept her off of her feet and their life together began. They were married on December 11th at St. John's Methodist church in Dallas, Texas. Establishing a home, they raised their family in the Spring Branch Memorial area of Houston where they lived most of their married life, and were blessed with 58 years of marriage. They built a family and a life filled with love, faith, & commitment. Together they had 8 children with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ann was a remarkably talented woman with a zest for life and a love for people. It was not uncommon for her to make friends wherever she went, and she was loved by all who knew her. She embodied the strength and grace of a steel magnolia, a true Southern lady.
A woman who appreciated beauty of every kind, her personal interests were diverse. They included oil painting, sewing, French cooking, tennis and ceramics. For a time, she ran her own floral shop, The Fruit Basket, in Houston.
She ministered to others as a Christian counselor and was actively involved in her community. Ann was a proud member of the Republican Women's Club, Daughter of the American Revolution, Garden Club, and participated in several community groups. She was a notable leader in all. She was even appointed by Governor Bill Clements to serve on the Texas Nursing Home Licensure Board.
Ann was a wonderful wife. She managed a tidy home and entertained many from all walks of life. She enjoyed many opportunities to travel alongside her husband especially to Washington, D.C. She traveled internationally to many countries, most notably a meaningful journey to Israel that left a lasting impact on her faith and life.
She understood the importance of motherhood and was personally involved in her children's lives, investing as a Sunday school teacher, room mother, baseball mom, PTA president, Bandolera drill team sponsor and all without a cell phone! Her presence lit up every room she entered.
Above all else, Ann's deep love for her family was evident in everything she did. She went above and beyond to bring everyone together, lovingly preparing meals and hosting Sunday lunches that became treasured family traditions. Ann was especially known for her unforgettable Easter gatherings, celebrating the resurrection with lamb, mint jelly and a large egg hunt including the joyful addition of bunnies and chicks for all to enjoy-always hoping they would find loving homes afterward. She also delighted in starting playful family traditions, including the time-honored celebration of tossing the next family high school graduate into the swimming pool. Through these moments, Ann created memories that will forever live on in the hearts of her family.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband John; grandchildren Luke and Rachel Watson; siblings Wade Campbell, Donald Campbell, Barbara, Noon, Johnny Campbell, Joyce Gooden and Mary Youngblood; and first husband Stoy Proctor.
Left to cherish her memories are children and spouses, Kenneth and Debbie Watson; Stanley Watson; Michael and Tammy Watson; Cindy and Allen Pate, Gina and Doug McFarland; Karmen and Cash Cunningham; Lee Ann and Doug Platt; Sam and Melinda Watson, 34 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Visitation for Ann with will be Friday, February 6, 2026 from 5:30pm until 7:00pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel with family present.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:00am at First Baptist Church Chappell Hill with retired Pastor David Beckworth and current Pastor Josh Sharp officiating. Internment will follow at the Chappell Hill Masonic Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are Stanley Watson, Andrew McFarland, Stuart Platt, Tom Pate, Austin McFarland and Talgat Pate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Chappell Hill or Old Ebenezer Church in Latta South Carolina.