Jessie Almera Shook Watson

Jessie Almera Shook Watson, 95, of Thornton passed away April 22, 2017 at Dallas County Medical Center in Fordyce. She was born Dec. 5, 1921 in Ellisville, Ark., to Jesse Alexander and Ella Viola Stover Shook. Lovingly known to many as "Almama", she was a great artist and cook. She achieved the rank of second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo in her sixties. As a young child she was baptized in a creek and was a member of Thornton First Baptist Church. On May 5, 1945 she was married to Thomas Houston Watson of Tinsman, Ark. They were married till his death in Aug. 1970. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and siblings. Sisters were Florence Moss, Lera Tedder, Annie Daniels, and Janie Brandon. Brothers were Meece Shook, William Shook, Charlie Shook, and Foster Shook. Survivors include son Gary (Janice) Watson of Texarkana, Texas and daughter Initia Doherty of Thornton; grandchildren, Tom (Leigh Anne) Watson of Frisco, Texas, Melissa (Allen) Faircloth of Shreveport, La., Michael (Christy) Watson of Sims, Texas, and Andy Watson of Plano, Texas; great-grandchildren, Parker and Jared Watson, Brandon Faircloth, Mary Addison Watson, Drew and Houston Watson. Funeral services will be held Tuesday April 25, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Thornton First Baptist Church with Rev. Nathan Petty officiating. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.