Sharon Kay Helton Watson

She was born on November 11, 1949 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to James Charles Helton and Helen Grace Withrow Helton. She attended Qulin High School where she met her soon to be husband, Ellis “Rusty” Watson then completed high school at Poplar Bluff High School. They moved to Texas and had two daughters, Angela and Rhonda.

Sharon worked in production at Southern Plastics-CSI for a number of years. She was a member of Media Church and First Baptist Church of Judson. She loved visiting “Happy Trails” in Missouri. This was the name given to their beloved home in Missouri where she and her sisters would gather to share and make memories. She loved fishing, country and gospel music, and most importantly her family. One of her greatest accomplishments was earning the title of “Mema”.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Helen and James Helton; brother Kenny Ray Helton; and her husband of 43 years, Ellis “Rusty” Watson.

She is survived by her daughters Angela Laster and Rhonda Townsend; sisters Linda Faye Wolff and her husband George and Sheila Ann Lewis; grandchildren Kendall Wayne Watson Newman, Tallan Anthony Townsend, and Spencer Ellis Laster; niece Janea Marie White, Cheri Ann Hines and her family Chalon James Hines, Chase Jaxson Hines, and Chalon’s son, Colton James Hines; nephews Anthony Dean Metcalf, Eddie Stockton, JJ Stockton, and Dustin Stockton; and her uncle Ronald Dean Withrow who Sharon had considered a brother and shared a special bond with. Sharon loved everyone as if they were her own personal family.

Her family would like to thank UT Health in Tyler and Heartsway Hospice of Longview for their love and dedicated care shown to Sharon during the difficult time. They also asked for everyone to keep Uncle Ronald in their prayers during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asked to make donations to the Hope Cancer Center in Sharon’s name.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held in Longview at a later date.

A burial service will be held in Missouri at a later date.