Mary Bert Watson

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Mary Bert Watson, 90, of Rayville, Louisiana, will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Delhi Presbyterian Church of Delhi, Louisiana, with Rev. Chris Wright and Rev. Paul Lipe officiating. Interment will follow immediately after at the Delhi Masonic Cemetery, under the direction of mUlhearn Funeral Home. The visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.

Mary Bert was born February 23, 1933, in Monroe, La. to Mattie Evelyn and Taylor Jackson Jones, and on January 19, 2024, Mary Bert Jones Watson, left her earthly home to be with Jesus.

She graduated from McMain High School, in New Orleans and got her Nursing degree from Big Charity Nursing School. On February 26, 1955, she married her best friend and forever love, Dr. Hugh Crawford Watson, Jr., whom she affectionately called, Turtle. They created a beautiful life together in Delhi. Mary Bert was a member of the Delhi Presbyterian Church for many years. Her hobbies included spending time and visiting with family and friends, cooking, shopping until she dropped, returning things she had previously purchased, drinking coffee over good conversations, and playing cards.

In 2017, she moved to Rayville. Sholanda (Lo) Holland quickly became her best friend, confidant, caregiver and running buddy. Lo and Mary Bert spent many days cooking, laughing, decorating, shopping at TJ Max, watching Hallmark movies, listening to audio books, and doing word puzzles. Their adventures were numerous.

Mary Bert was a loving wife, Mama, Nonnie to her grandchildren, UhOh to nieces and nephews, and great grandmother to her first great grandson. Her family will remember her by her love, her listening ears, her robust spirit, inviting home, and her devout love and adoration for her husband throughout her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mattie Evelyn and Taylor Jackson Jones; husband, Dr. Hugh Crawford Watson, Jr., brother, Froman Ellerbe; sister-in-law, Jane Ellerbe; and brother-in-law, CB Sledge.

She is survived by her three children, Hugh Crawford Watson III and his wife, Beth, Evelyn Jane Watson Branch and her husband, David, and Sarah Elizabeth Watson;  Her six grandchildren, Clair Elise Watson White and her husband, Darren, Hugh Crawford “Chip” Watson IV, David Joseph Branch, Jr., Maryanna Jane Branch Dark and her husband, Randy, Brad Spencer Williams, Andrew Watson Williams; one great grandson, Steven Sheppard Dark; sister, Mattie Evelyn Sledge, Crawford's four step sons, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The pallbearers will be Darren White, Chip Watson, David Joe Branch, Randy Dark, Spencer Williams, Andrew Williams.

A huge thank you to Shalonda Holland, Vallery Anderson, Trinity Doublin, Rosa Webb, and Vera Ausberry for loving her like family. Thank you to all past and present employees and staff at the Delhi Clinic and Hospital for your love, support, and many memories throughout her life. Thank you to Dr. Kevin Carlisle and the staff of Colonial Manor Rehab and Richardson Medical Center for providing great care during her final days.

Praise be to God our Father because of the blessed assurance through Jesus for our salvation.

Psalm 23:6

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”