LORA WATSON

1923 - 2021

Lora Bozone Jones Watson  (née McCorquodale)  
Died at age 97 on February 14, 2021 in Woodbridge, VA. She is described by all who knew her as a force of nature. At the age of 75, Lora taught a granddaughter how to tumble by performing cartwheels in her front yard. She safaried in Kenya and served Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia coffee and cake in her living room. Lora is remembered fondly for her generosity, her indomitable spirit, her tidy repertoire of songs and sayings, and her baroque driving directions. Born in Salitpa, AL, on December 20, 1923, Lora divided her childhood between Mobile and Jackson, AL. She married Russell B. Jones, Jr. ("Rusty"), of Arlington, TX, a career Army officer (ASA), in 1944. After an 18-month separation during WWII, Lora liked to say she took the "slow boat to China" to meet Rusty in Shanghai. During her Army years, Lora shepherded her family back and forth across the globe, living on three continents. After Rusty's death in 1972, Lora became an active member of Lewinsville Presbyterian Church (McLean), where she served as deacon and was a tireless volunteer. She traveled extensively with the Lewinsville Handbell Ringers under the baton of the late J. Clarke. She married Donald S. Watson ("Don") in 1992. Her latter years were spent at the Westminster at Lake Ridge. Lora is preceded in death by her two husbands and five siblings. She is survived by her children, Russael Johanys, Robin E. Gantt, Michael T. Jones, Victoria Rutherford and Melissa Jones Fiori; by her stepchildren, James Watson, David Watson and Kimberly Watson; by 14 grandchildren; and by 17 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church and Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Donations can be made in Lora's name to the Wounded Warrior Project and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.