Paula Watson Whitson

WHITSON, Paula Watson—Died September 1, 2018, born October 31, 1927 in Louisville, KY. Preceded in death by parents, Ione Weir Watson and Clay Peter Watson; brother, Carl Watson; nephew, Peter Watson; husband of 56 years, Albert Passmore Whitson.

Mrs. Whitson was raised in Louisville and attended Christian College in Columbia, MO. She then transferred to Vanderbilt University, graduating in 1949, and did a year of postgraduate work to train as a teacher at Peabody College. At Vanderbilt, she was a Tri-Delta and served as president of the Pan-Hellenic Council. She also met her husband, to whom she was devoted, at Vanderbilt and they married October 7, 1950, making their home in Nashville.

In addition to raising a large family, Mrs. Whitson volunteered at her children’s schools and many community organizations. She enjoyed swimming, bridge, golf and travel, and had some of her happiest times with her Wednesday and Thursday bridge clubs, at her vacation home in Stuart, FL with her husband, and on their many trips with friends. A highlight for her was shooting a hole-in-one on the golf course at the Greenbrier Resort. She was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Nashville, a member of the Belle Meade Country Club, the Centennial Club, and many other clubs and civic organizations. She was also a longstanding member of West End United Methodist Church.

Survived by children Paula Whitson Reed (Arthur), Albert Passmore Whitson Jr. (Alice), Laura Whitson Hardin (Gene), Huntsville, AL, Clay Morford Whitson (Jeannette), and Christopher Cummings Whitson (Julia); grandchildren John Shahan, Jr., Arthur Reed III, Clay Reed, Watson Reed, Minje Whitson Mulloy (Michael), Denton Whitson Kerrigan (John), Knoxville, Jennifer Hardin Shannon (Michael), Woodstock, GA, Christopher Hardin, Huntsville, Clay Whitson Jr., Elizabeth Whitson, Emily Whitson, Jack Whitson, Washington, D.C., and Alec Whitson; great-grandchildren Patrick, Peyton, Conor and Caitlin Mulloy and Jack Shannon; nieces Carla Watson, Louisville, and Cindy Whitson Russell; nephews Christopher Watson, Louisville, and Whit Whitson, Branson, MO.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 6 between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. in Reed Hall, West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37203, with a private family service and burial on Friday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Historic Mount Olivet Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to West End United Methodist Church or a charity of one’s choice. Please visit online obit at www.mountolivet.com