Mary Ruth Watson

Mary Ruth Martin Watson, age 69, of Jackson, GA passed away Saturday, December 9, 2017 in Atlanta, GA following an illness of several months. She was born in Fulton County, GA July 15, 1948 daughter of the late Mary Lee Burford Martin and George Noah Martin, Jr.

Mary Ruth graduated from Jackson High School in 1966. She attended West Georgia College in Carrollton and graduated from the University of Georgia .

She was active in the 4-H Club program winning National in the Dairy Project. She was a counselor at Rock Eagle where she was Craft Coordinator and Princess of the Cherokee Tribe, and met Ralph Watson. Through 4-H, she was an International Exchange Student and spent the summer following her junior year at JHS in Ireland.

She taught kindergarten for 34 years in Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas. While in Louisiana she set up a model program for the state of Louisiana for special needs pre-school children. After moving to Jackson she taught in the Butts County School System where she retired to run Mary Lee’s China and Gifts.

She was President of the Sylvan Grove Hospital Auxiliary and served on the Boards of Directors of the Butts County Pregnancy Center and the Butts County Historical society. She was a member of the William McIntosh Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as Treasurer of the Butts County Republican Party. Mary Ruth was on the school councils for the Butts County School System assisting Stark Elementary and Henderson Middle School.

Survivors include her husband, Ralph Watson; children, Leonora and Colin Clarkson, Corley and Beth Watson, Christie and Josh Ard and Dennis and Wendy Conners. Known as “Mimi” to the grandchildren she adored, she was proud of CJ Clarkson, R. Corley Watson, IV, William George Watson, Samuel Gresham Watson, Boyce Wayne Ard, Mary Leighann Ard, and coming soon, Aurora Nichole Ard, as well as Ethan, Evan and Jared Conners.

A celebration of her life will be Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church, Jackson, GA. Due to inclement weather the graveside will be that afternoon for the family. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5 – 7 pm at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Butts County Pregnancy Center or the Rock Eagle Counselor Association.

You may sign the on-line registry by going to www.haistenfuneral.com

Haisten Funeral Home of Jackson is in charge of arrangements for Mary Ruth Watson..

Funeral Service
Tuesday, Dec 12, 2017
10:30 AM
First Baptist Church
1227 West Third Street
Jackson, GA 30233

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