Emma Lou Watson, 97, of De Soto died July 16, 2026, at her home. Mrs. Watson was a homemaker. Born March 31, 1929, in Providence, Ky., she was the daughter of the late James W. and Emma F. (Dodge) Hooker.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 75 years: Dr. William W. “Doc” Watson.
She is survived by five children: Donna L. “Dee” (John “Pete”) Dawes of De Soto, Steve (Diane) Watson of St. Louis, Dr. Suzanne (Brian Dreckshage) Watson of Ballwin, William David Watson of Lawrence, Kan., and Jeff (Paige) Watson of Union; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by two sons: Billy and Mike Watson; a daughter-in-law: Jane Watson; and six siblings: Aleen Ball, Harold Porter, Frances Curry, William “Dub” Porter, James Porter and Helen Vaughn.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until services at noon Monday, July 20, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., in De Soto. Interment will be in City Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice Care, 5272 Flat River Road, Park Hills, 63601, the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA, 22116, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.