Lorraine V. Watson, 76, of Murphy, passed away Monday, May 14, 2018, in a Murphy care facility.
She was a native of Detroit, Mich., but had lived in Sarasota, Fla., throughout most of her life until moving to Murphy in 1991.
Lorraine enjoyed bass fishing with her husband and the GLOW widow’s luncheons.
She was a member of Mountainview Community Church, where she participated in Small Group Bible Study and Women’s Tea.
Her most recent enjoyment was taking part in her grandchildren’s lives.
She was the daughter of the late August and Charlotte Praet Van Bael, and wife of the late William Bruce Watson, who died July 26, 2014. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Leanne Watson Hand; a son, Robert William Watson; and two sisters, Florence C. Strickland and Beth S. McDaniel.
Surviving are three grandchildren, Jarred Hand and wife Rebecca, Stacey Messer and husband Derik, and Bobby Hand, all of Murphy; six great-grandchildren, Mercedes, Johanna, Eric, Lauren, Ryan, and Rayland; a great-great-grandson, Bentley; and three sisters, Deanna E. Maus of Acworth, Ga., Francis C. Baumberger of Fort Myers, Fla., and Susan H. Dawson of Charlotte.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, Fla., with Deacon Bill Ladloga officiating. The interment will be in Manasota Memorial Park in Bradenton, Fla.
The family will receive friends prior to the services.
A local memorial service will be held at a later date at Mountainview Community Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Lorraine V. Watson to Warriors Veteran Outreach, c/o Dan Miller, P.O. Box 134, Murphy, NC 28906 or www.warriorsveteranoutreach.wordpress.com.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of local arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.