Marjorie Watson

On March 9, 2013, Marjorie Watson was carried by the angels from this life into Heaven where she was reunited with family and friends waiting for her there. Marj was born to Lera Jane and James Monroe Tedder on March 26, 1923 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. At a 4th of July celebration, Marj met her love, Norman Watson, when he accidentally spit on her shoe. As time went by, they became friends and on November 4, 1939, they were married in Thornton, Arkansas. After living in Crossett and McGehee, they made their way across Arkansas to make their home in Little Rock. When their firstborn son, Don, was nine, Marj began her training as an RN, but two months before she was to graduate, Don was stricken with polio and she quit to tend to him. She later went to work at ACH as an LPN, where she gave loving care to the babies there. It was a career she was proud of all her life. The Great Flood of 1927 deposited a piano at her doorstep and she began a lifelong passion of playing, giving her grandchildren and great-grandchildren a passion for music as well. Later in life she worked with her best friend and brother-in-law, Melvin Waddle, in his piano store. Melvin attempted to teach Marj, who played by ear, to read music by smacking a ruler against the piano when she missed notes...somehow they managed to remain friends. Marj was an amazing listener and people were drawn to her for her sensitive and compassionate nature as well as her ability to find humor in any situation. She was like a mom to her son-in-law, Mike, and a loving friend to all. Her kitchen décor was a vibrant as her personality—black floor, Scotch tape red plaid walls and a sunshine yellow banquette and table. People gathered around this table where constant coffee, chatter and laughter abounded. Marj's best girlfriend, Leona Andrews, was the cautious Ethel to our red-headed Lucy. Anyone who knew them wondered if "I Love Lucy" was written about them! In later years, her love of all things beautiful drew her to "Painting with Bob Ross" and soon her walls were adorned with oil paintings of "happy little trees" as well as "happy little accidents." She soon became consumed by painting and sketching and, before long, she and Melvin began their competition to out-draw one another, using designs they found on paper towels, calendars, cards, etc. Norman encouraged it with an amused smile from the sidelines. Many little birds were sketched during this period. Throughout their years together, Norman and Marj loved to go dancing when life allowed it. Norman stood by her side through years of illness and they made our childhood normal even though they faced great adversity. At age 40, after 10 years of suffering with myasthenia gravis, she was given two weeks to live. Family and friends prayed ceaselessly for her recovery. Those prayers were answered and she overcame that illness, never to suffer from it again. Marj's resiliency, determination and humor allowed her to be the strong, spirited woman we all dearly love. She will be sorely missed, but will continue to live within our hearts until we are all reunited in Heaven. Marj was preceded in death by her mother and father; her siblings, Raymon, Gladys, Griff, Jimmy and Lois; by her beloved, Norman; and her best friend, Leona Andrews. Looking forward to laughing with her again are her brother, Larry Tedder (Gladys); her children, Norman Don Watson (Etta), Lera Diane Rushin (Mike) and Melanie Marjorie White (David); her grandchildren, Michael Rushin (Renea), Natalie Hackney, Amy Rushin, Jason White (Fawnda) and Kristin Wilson (Corey); and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Emily, Zach, Rylee, Brinlee and Jett. Heaven is certainly filled with laughter tonight. Marj and Norman are dancing among the stars in a mansion with a piano in every room, puppies all around, and paintings adorning the walls with her happy little trees. Services will be Monday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Marj's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.