Obituary of Edna Jane Watson

Mrs. Edna Jane Watson passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2014. Mrs. Watson was born on March 9, 1920 in Fitzgerald Georgia to Leola and Earnest Lackey. She and her husband, William W. Watson, moved to Winter Haven from Atlanta, Georgia in 1955. Under the tutelage of realtor Maynard Travis she received her Florida Real Estate License. Mrs. Watson was a pioneer female real estate broker in Winter Haven. She was a member of the Winter Haven Board of Realtors since 1956. She served as a director on the Winter Haven Board of Realtors for 11 years in the capacity of secretary, treasurer, vice president and in 1967 was elected first female President of the Board. In 1965 she was chosen "Realtor of the Year", the first woman to receive this distinction. She also served as the 10th district Vice President of the Women's Council of the National Real Estate Board. Mrs. Watson and her husband founded Watson and Watson Realtors in 1958. After a time her son, William C. Watson, joined the company and together they operated Watson and Watson Realtors for over 45 years. Mrs. Watson was very active in numerous civic organizations serving as a lifetime member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Vice President of the League of Women Voters, a member of the Polk County unit of the American Cancer Society, Business and Professional Women's Club and the State Planning and Zoning Association. In November 2012 she was honored as a 50 year member of the Grand Chapter of the Florida Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of the Winter Haven Nazarene Church. She is preceded in death by her husband William W. Watson. Mrs. Watson is survived by her children Willene Johnson (Bill) and Bill Watson (Linda); 8 grandchildren; Cheri Wright (Steve), Kim Lockhart (Steve), Jimmy Johnson, Hunter Watson (Carolyn), Aaron Taylor, Carrol Watson (Carlin), Casey Watson, Gillian McIntee (Jay); 9 great grandchildren; Andrea Cardona (Brian), Steven Lockhart Jr. (Chelsey), Rachel Averett (Michael), Steven Wright, Jared Wright, Sadie, Tony and Aliyah McIntee and Carlin Bennett; 1 great-great grandchild Jacob Cardona. The family would like to thank her loyal caregivers Marylyn Page, Elaine Barrow, Sophia Benavidez, Ofelia Leija and the Comfort Keepers staff for all the support and love that they gave our mother. A Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 W. Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven on Sunday, July 13th at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Family will receive guests immediately following. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Winter Haven Nazarene Church or the Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind. Condolences to the family can be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.