Tributes

Eugene Nolen Watson passed away in Fayetteville, Arkansas on September 14th, 2024. He was born at Cobb Creek on March 17th, 1929, and had recently celebrated his 95th birthday and his 75th wedding anniversary. With the exception of residing in Memphis and San Diego while serving in the Navy, Eugene and his wife Lois lived most of their lives in Madison County. Although they moved to Fayetteville last year, they remained members of the Huntsville Church of Christ. Eugene married Lois Eunice Counts of Wesley on April 9th, 1949, and they had two sons. He was very proud of his family, his farm, and his long career as a cattle farmer and a welder. He bought his first cows at the age of 13 and had a herd for 80 years. He was a storyteller, and he often shared stories about life in rural Arkansas. Many of them were humorous, and he would chuckle before getting to the punchline. Eugene enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, and watching the news and Arkansas Razorback games. He also had a passion for learning about history, including his own. Both sides of his family were early settlers in Madison County, and they primarily lived around Cobb Creek and the War Eagle River. In addition to farming and training and trading mules, they had a tomato canning factory, a store, and a sale barn. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Hazel Watson (née Boyd); his brothers, Jim and Earl Dwayne Watson; and a sister, Donna Buell. Eugene is survived by his wife, Lois Watson, of the home; two children, Charles Watson and wife Phyllis Rengier of Fayetteville; Jeff Watson and wife Robin Watson of Fayetteville; one sister, Judy Gaines of Kemah, Texas; five grandchildren, Kristin Kibler and husband Chris of New Orleans; Kent Watson and wife Kristina of Fayetteville; Kara Mason and husband Marcus of Tontitown; Ty Watson and wife Melissa of Fayetteville; and Ryan Watson and wife Sara of Oklahoma City; and seven great-grandchildren; Nolen and Gabriel Watson; Aubrey Treat and Braden Mason; Sebastian Kibler; and Kinsley and Lacy Watson. Eugene will be missed dearly, and his family is grateful for his life and his legacy. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20th, at Huntsville Cemetery with Bill Hooten officiating. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Operation Blue Jeans in care of the Huntsville Church of Christ, P.O. Box 674, Huntsville, Arkansas 72740.

Tributes

Eugene Watson

March 17, 1929 - September 14, 2024