Helen Proctor Morris Watson

Mrs. Watson was born in Summit, now a part of Twin City, Ga., to the late Claude Mallory Proctor and Pearle Cowart Proctor. A graduate of Wesleyan College, she married Robert F. Morris in 1946 in the chapel of the US Military Academy at West Point. The couple lived in Germany and Texas while Robert served in the U.S. Army, then ultimately settled in Statesboro, Ga. where they raised their three children Karen, Frank, and Suzanne. Six years after husband Robert's death in 1989, she married Luther L. Watson of Twin City, Ga. and acquired a second family whom she also loved and cherished.

Mrs. Watson dedicated her long life to her family and to her community. She was a former president of the Spade and Trowel Garden Club and the Garden Club Council of Statesboro, and a former member of the boards of the Oleander District Garden Club and the Georgia Southern University Botanical Garden. The City of Statesboro recognized her service on the Statesboro Beautification Commission with the dedication of a park bench. She served as president of the Statesboro-Georgia Southern University Symphony Guild, president of the Symphony Association, and was a member of the board of the GSU Museum. Mrs. Watson was active in the local Georgia Bulldog Club and was a long time active supporter of Georgia Southern football and the GSU Foundation as a 1906 club member. As a founding member of the Statesboro Service League, she enjoyed many years in supporting that organization. She served as a regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of the Colonial Dames XVII Century, and was a life member of the Bulloch County Historical Society. As a result of her community service, Mrs. Watson was honored with the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Award in 2002 and with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Mrs. Watson was an active member of Statesboro First United Methodist Church where she was a faithful member of the Crusaders Sunday school class, served on the Helping Hands Committee, and was a member of the Dreta Sharpe Circle of the United Methodist Women. She is remembered as giving the devotionals at circles and garden club meetings for many years. Of the many social activities Helen enjoyed, one of her favorites was regularly playing bridge with her friends.

Mrs. Watson’s passing will be felt throughout Statesboro and Bulloch County where her service has been a part of Statesboro's growth from a small town to the thriving community it is today. “I have enjoyed helping other people in the community, but no matter what, my family has always come first,” Mrs. Watson told the Statesboro Herald in a 2000 interview. She is remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a tireless community servant, and a devoted Christian who loves the Lord.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert F. Morris and Luther L. Watson and her sisters, Valree Flanagan, Mildred Jones, and Carolyn Proctor.

Mrs. Watson is survived by her children Karen Healey and husband Tom of Wetumpka, AL, Frank Morris and wife Lisa of Charleston, SC and Suzanne McCord and husband Gerry of Mt. Pleasant, SC, 7 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by step-daughters Margaret Anne Anderson and husband, Mick of Macon, GA, and Jane Jackson and husband Jimmy, also of Macon, GA, and step-son Ben Watson and wife Bernice of Savannah, GA, 7 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great grandchildren.

The family appreciates the support of Mrs. Watson's caregivers, and especially her most recent caregivers, Diana Dosier and Barbara Wesley, who lovingly cared for Helen until her passing.

Funeral services will be 2:30 pm Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Statesboro First United Church with Rev. Jimmy Cason and Rev. Trip Healey (grandson of Helen Watson) officiating. Burial will be in the Eastside cemetery. Visitation will be at Statesboro First United Methodist Church fellowship hall Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 1:00 pm with the funeral to follow at 2:30 pm.

Pallbearers will be Robert Morris III, Edward Buckley, Justin Buckley, Kevin McMurry, Ryan Quick, Walker Watson and Brandon Jones.

Memorial contributions may be made to Statesboro First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2048, Statesboro, Georgia 30459.

Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Crusader's Sunday School Class.

Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore.com to sign the guest book and share fond memories with the Watson family.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.