Johnie Lee Butler Watson, 85, of Picayune, left her earthly home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 10, 2011 surrounded by her family at her home.

She was born in Henryetta, Okla. on October 18, 1925 to John and Lillie Butler. She had two brothers, Delbert and Melvin Butler.

On July 21, 1942 she married Stanley J. Watson in Warner, Okla. She took great pride in being a minister’s wife and rearing her children while teaching ceramic and porcelain classes in the recreation department of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She was listed in Personalities of the South, American Biographical Institute, Eleventh Edition. In her spare time, she enjoyed photography and the wonders of nature, especially birds and flowers.

She was preceded in death by: an infant son, Timothy Dale; and her adopted daughter, Anne Gaye Watson.

She is survived by: her husband of 68 years, Stanley J. Watson; three sons: Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and wife Huda, of Ann Arbor, Mich., John Mark Watson, and wife Cheryl, of Picayune, and David Lee Watson, and wife Linda, of Daytona, Fla. She had six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She is also survived by a host of other family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held at McDonald Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 10 a.m. followed by a Visitation at the McDonald Funeral Home.

As a member of First Baptist Church of Picayune, she would be pleased that contributions be made to the Reaching Every Generation Fund of the church.

Driving directions, obituary, and register book can be found at www.mcdonaldfh.com.