Mildred Watson
Ava, MO

Mildred Fern Watson, 92 years, passed to Heaven on January 12, 2015 of congestive heart failure at Springfield, MO with her sister, JoAnn and husband, Fred Souder Livingston by her side.

Mildred was born September 5, 1922 in Lutie, MO to Rev. George and Clara (Bruer) Willhoit. Being raised in Ozark County, she went to grade school at Barefoot and graduated from Gainesville High School. She also attended one summer at Bolivar College.

On January 22, 1943 Mildred and Earl Watson were united in marriage in Lutie, MO. She has been a resident of Ava since that time. She taught two years of school at Mt. Taber and three years at Black Oak. She owned and operated Mildred's Beauty Shop in Ava for 22 ½ years. She also served as an election judge for 30 years.

She accepted Jesus into her heart and was baptized at nine years old, remaining faithful through all her life. She began singing with her other siblings when she was young, who would often go with their father and sing when he preached or conducted a funeral. She joined the Ava General Baptist Church in 1947 and served as church secretary for 60 years. Another of her ministries was singing at funerals. Since she started keeping a record, she has sung for over 600 funerals.

Mildred loved working in the church and devoted her life to serving others. She taught Guild Girls for several years and several generations of first/second graders. She was still serving as a Sunday School teacher and helping clean the church each week until Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, when she broke her hip after helping clean the church.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Earl of 54 years, three sisters, Beulah Campbell, Opal Young, and Helen Griego, three brothers, Willard, Conley and Rev. Howard Willhoit.

Mildred is survived by her sister, JoAnn Livingston (whom she raised from the age of 14) and her husband, Fred Souder Livingston Springfield, MO. She is also survived by nephews, Don Young, George Willhoit, Mike Griego, Rev. Dennis Livingston and Doug Livingston and nieces, Juanita Garrison, Gail Jodzko, Norma Martin, Kathie Jermstad, and all their families, plus many other relatives and a multitude of friends.


Funeral services for Mildred will be Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ava General Baptist Church with burial in the Lutie Cemetery, Theodosia, MO. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn and Rev. Dennis Livingston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Lutie Cemetery (Jo Stehle, c/o Century Bank of the Ozarks, 6151 US Highway 160, Theodosia, MO 65761), Ava General Baptist Church Memorial (P.O. Box 116, Ava, MO 65608) or charity of your choice.