Mary Watters

1925 - 2022

Mary "Laverne" Williams Watters passed away on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the age of 97. Laverne was born on March 6, 1925 in Haynesville, LA to the late Albert Lawrence Williams and Iris Nelson Williams. Mrs. Watters was the loving wife of the late Frank Benjamin Watters for 56 years. Frank and Laverne enjoyed traveling and created many memories together and with their family. Laverne's home was River Ridge and her Magnolia Island camp on the Tangipahoa River in Ponchatoula. Laverne was a member of Riverside Church in River Ridge. She was a gardener and a strawberry, muscadine, crabapple, and pepper jelly maker. During World War II, Laverne contributed to her country working at the ammunition plant in Webster Parish, LA and then as a Western Union operator. She was a storyteller who could recite every fairy tale and nursery rhyme. A story she often told was of the celebration at Western Union after transmitting messages that the War was over. One of her proudest achievements was her service with the Home Builders Association Ladies Auxiliary and her time as President of the organization. Laverne was a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was loved by her two daughters, Brenda Joye Roddy (Lonnie) and Constance Faye Watters, and her late son, Frank Benjamin "Benjie" Watters Jr. (Bobbie Lou). She was affectionately "Mamou" to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she adored. She is survived by her nine grandchildren: Troy Roddy (Meghan), Tracie Senior (Kevin), Trent Roddy (Jennifer), Travis Roddy (Elizabeth), Andrew Watters, Matthew Bowers (Michelle), Ashley Bowers, Zachary Watters (Cristen), and Peyton Watters (Caroline). She is also survived by her thirteen great-grandchildren: Allison Hedrick, Emily Hedrick, Cameron Senior, Irene Roddy, Heldner Roddy, Patrick Roddy, Shane Roddy, Samuel Roddy, Jameson Roddy, John Parker Bowers, Jackson Bowers, Cooper McWilliams, and Benji Watters. Laverne was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband and son. She was one of six children. She was preceded in death by 3 her three sisters: Felice Dye, Gairy Baker, and Maxine Moore. She is survived by her sister, Annette Backus, and her brother, A.L. Williams. A Funeral Service will be held at Riverside Baptist Church, 9220 Jefferson Hwy. in River Ridge at noon on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Visitation will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at the church. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Sand Hill Cemetery in Ponchatoula. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com for the family.