Jo Marie Watson, 72, of Summerville, S.C., formerly of Pevely, died Sept. 26, 2020. Mrs. Watson worked as a restaurant owner and caterer for more than 30 years and was a member of Radiant Life Church in Festus, where she volunteered with the church food pantry. She spent her life as a volunteer and charity organizer, spearheading the formation of the Jefferson County chapter of Toys for Tots and serving as its chairwoman for more than 20 years. She enjoyed sitting on the pier in South Carolina drinking her coffee and looking out into the ocean. She was known as Momma Jo to more than a hundred foster children she cared for over the years. Born Oct. 12, 1948, in Clarksdale, Miss., she was the daughter of the late James Martin and Virgie Virginia Cook. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years: Robert Gary Watson, whom she married on Dec. 27, 1968, in Osceola, Ark..
She is survived by three children: Thomas Joseph “Skip” (Kelly) Watson of Summerville, S.C., Robert Gary (Stacey) Watson Jr. of Eureka and Carrie Helen Watson of Summerville, S.C.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren: two brothers: Jimmy (Dorothy) Cook and John Cook, both of Osceola, Ark.; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by ten siblings: Leroy Cook, Robert “Popeye” Cook, Charles Cook, David Wayne Cook; infant J.M. Cook, Georgia Yon-Cook, Virgie Suzie Cox, Magie Helen Russ, Edna “Gail” Rippe, and Cheryl Shepperson.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Mahn Twin City Chapel, 515 Collins, in Festus. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Radiant Life Church in Festus,11533 Gamel Cemetery Road, in Festus, officiated by Pastor Randy Gray. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to Toys for Tots. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.