Fern Watson, 74, of Sedalia, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at Bothwell Regional
Health Center.
She was born April 16, 1930, in McBaine, Missouri, daughter of Dorsey Lee and Edith Marie Coleman Vaughan. On April 7, 1951, she was married to Maphis “Bruce” Humphrey, who died on July 25, 1959. On May 1, 1964, in Miami, Okla., she was married to Sam Dolan Watson, who died March 17, 1996.
Mrs. Watson operated a daycare in her home for 32 years, caring for more than 100
children who all called her “Granny Fern.” She enjoyed reading, sewing, dancing, cooking, swimming and spending time with her friends. She was a member of TOPS and Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary. She was a Baptist.
Survivors include three daughters, Doris Marie Mergen, Janice Sue Engles, and her
husband, Bob, and Barbara Jean Hageman, and her husband, Steve, all of Sedalia; two sons, Bruce Humphrey, and his wife, Brenda, of Sedalia, and David Allen Watson, and his wife, Caryla, of Smithton; a step son, Sammy Lee Watson, and his wife, Joyce, of Grandview; twelve grandchildren, Julie Mergen Barnes, Kimberly Mergen Toops, Amanda Mergen, Jeanell Hageman Holt, Stephanie Hageman, Jared Engles, Brandon Humphrey, Brody Humphrey, Jacob Watson, Jeff McCrea, Scott Watson and Karen Watson; seven great grandchildren; and two brothers, Owen Lee Vaughan and Kenneth Vaughan, both of Columbia.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Heckart/Gillespie Colonial Chapel, with
her nephew, the Rev. Gary Humphrey, officiating.
Pallbearers will be Jared Engles, Ronnie Humphrey, Larry Humphrey, Gilbert
Humphrey, Bobby Humphrey and Josh Humphrey. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Humphrey, Glen Humphrey, Bill Watson, John Vaughan, Daryl Vaughan, Mike Smith, Rod Smith, Mark Smith, Doug Smith and Ken Smith.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of the donor’s choice.
