Nellie Watson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Nellie Mae Watson, age 95, Joplin, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at her home with family at her side.

Nellie was born March 10, 1930 in El Dorado Springs, MO, daughter of the late Dewey and Mable (Whiteside) Fox. She grew up in Joplin and attended Joplin Schools. She married Clarence H. “Bud” Watson in 1947 and the couple ran C.H. Watson Trucking until 2002. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who loved taking care of her family. She was an avid gardener who canned a lot of vegetables for the family. She was always cooking and baking for her family, and usually for the neighborhood children also.

She and her husband spent countless hours traveling the country after their retirement. They visited all 49 states during their travels. She was an avid fisherman, and loved fishing anywhere they got a chance. She was also known to take care of a lot of animals, from her dogs and cats to her chickens and cows. She was loved by many, and will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bud Watson who passed away in 2009, two sons, Dennis Ray Watson and Dale Lynn Watson; a brother, Frank Fox, and two sisters, Mary Ruth Steckstor and Ellen Burkhart.

Survivors include her sons; Ronnie Watson and wife Frankie, Stanley Watson and wife Kathleen, Dewey “Pockeye” Watson, and Monte Watson all of Joplin; a brother, Forrest Fox of Melrose, KS; nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Graveside service will be Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Fairview Cemetery, Joplin, MO under the direction of Parker Mortuary.