Ruth (Donaldson) Watson

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors announces the death of Mrs. Ruth Donaldson Watson, age 94, of Twin City, GA., on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at Community Hospice in Vidalia, GA.

Graveside Services will be conducted Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 11AM at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Elder Tommy Rountree and Elder Sam Bowen officiating.

Interment will be in the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers are William Donaldson, Jim Donaldson, Mark Donaldson, Lew Donaldson, Michael Donaldson and Trey Harrell

The family will receive friends at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church one hour prior to the service.

Mrs. Watson was born in Twin City to the late George Warren and Ruby Ellie Cowart Donaldson. She was the oldest member of Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Twin City. Ruth loved education and teaching and it was reflected in her life. She obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Elementary Education at Georgia Southern College. She spent a semester in England at the University of London studying the English Open Education System, Exceptional Child Programs and Mainstreaming. Ruth taught elementary school in Emanuel County for 25 plus years.

She was the driving force in the development and establishment of the Emanuel County Training Center in Lexy, serving as its first director. Ruth was named Emanuel County Woman of the Year and received the Outstanding Service Award by the Southeast Georgia Community Development Committee. She was an officer in the Business and Professional Women’s Club, President of the then Emanuel County Association of Retarded Citizens, President of the Emanuel County Home Demonstration Council and a member of the Emanuel County, Georgia and National Associations of Educators and a member of the Emanuel County Beautification Committee. Through the years, Ruth maintained a pen pal relationship with Edna Fisher of Weaverham, Northwich, England from 1942 until Edna’s death in 2020 at age 94. She had met Edna through a cousin who was serving in the military in England during WWII. They shared their lives through marriage, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and deaths of siblings and spouses. They corresponded for 78 years. They met in person twice during Ruth’s trips to Europe. Ruth loved to travel, experience new places and meeting new people.

Of her many accomplishments and activities, she cherished her family and the old family homeplace, which was affectionately named, “Donaldson Manor”. Ruth was the matriarch of the Donaldson/Watson family. She was known as Grandmother and Aunt Ruth to all those related to her by blood and by love. Ruth was always involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. She spent time attending their activities, volunteering to drive, donating or chaperoning. Ruth was President of the PTA and a 4-H Leader making numerous trips to Rock Eagle. She will be missed by all who knew her. Ruth made the world a better place. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas E. Watson; two sisters, Mary W. Searson and Lillian Ruby Donaldson; three brothers, J.E. Donaldson, Frank Donaldson and Donny Donaldson and a special Brother-In-Law, Robert S. Watson.

Survivors Include:

Daughter: Kathie Barton of Twin City, GA.

Sons: Thomas Edward Watson, III, of Twin City and Pickens Timothy Watson (Penny).

Brother: Lewis Donaldson (Jenene) of Twin City, GA.

Grandchildren: Chad Watson (Melody), Ashley Morgan (Billy), Clay Watson (Ashley), Amy Jones (Jonathan) and Nikki Bishop (Andrew).

Great Grandchildren: Alan Watson, Kayla Watson, Emma Ruth Harrell, Abraham Watson, Remington Morgan, Nolan Jones, Mason Bishop and Quaid Harrell.

Many precious nieces and nephews.

Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Lewis Donaldson, P.O. Box 268, Twin City, GA 30471 or Community Hospice, 904 Mt. Vernon Road, Vidalia, GA 30474.  

Condolences may be submitted to www.durden-hudsonfuneraldirectors.com

Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements for the funeral services of Mrs. Ruth Donaldson Watson of Twin City, GA.

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