Gladys E. Watson, 94, of Victoria died Sept. 24, 2022, at de Greeff Hospice House in St. Louis County. Mrs. Watson was retired from the De Soto Shoe Factory and, with her husband, owned and operated Watson Salvage Yard. When she was younger, she raced stock cars and participated in demolition derbies. She enjoyed cooking, worked in her flower garden until she was well into her 90s and loved family reunions and other family gatherings.. Born July 27, 1928, in Ware, she was the daughter of the late Lola (Hileman) and Thomas Rogers Sr. She was preceded in death by her husband: Alvin G. “Glen” Watson.
She is survived by a daughter: Gwen Scott of De Soto; a son: Jim Watson of De Soto; eight grandchildren: Tim (Marie) Watson, Carl Watson, William Scott, Amy Scott, Lance Scott, Rochelle (Jeremy) Bringer, Leasa (Bucky) Hawkins and Nicole Watson; 20 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by three sons: Gary Watson, Alvin Watson and Tim Watson; four sisters: Grace (the late Ed) Crammer, Nancy (the late Charles) Wall, Shirley (the late Dennis) Duncan and Delores (the late Kenneth) Brown; two brothers: Thomas Rogers Jr. and Donald (the late Pauline and the late Shirley) Rogers; a granddaughter: Michelle Watson; and one great-great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Arrangements were under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto.