Beulah Irene (Saunders) Watson went to her Heavenly home and reunited with her life-long love and husband of 73 years Tuesday morning, May 7, 2024. Born in Fleming County, KY on July 20, 1927, she was the daughter of Eula Mefford Saunders and Lela Zenith Gooding Saunders Hamilton. After the loss of her parents at a young age, Beulah was lovingly raised by her paternal grandmother, Martha Saunders.

Beulah's childhood, while seemingly simple by today's standards, served as a foundation for the core of who she became as an adult, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Through schooling from a country one-room schoolhouse, the education of a Kentucky farming upbringing and her commitment to serve the Lord from a young age – Beulah was a living example of service, hard work and family values.

During World War II, Beulah's core values were put to work as she served on the home front when the men of the area went away to war. From a factory in Maysville, Beulah joined many other women in the area doing war support work. Her specific duties included packing gun grenade shells to send to the frontlines. This kept her busy until the war ended when she would marry Humphrey Martin Watson, her childhood sweetheart, on June 8, 1946, upon his return from war.

Beulah and Humphrey spent the majority of their married life in southern Ohio. It was there that Beulah served her community through food service and eventually retired as a restaurant owner/operator to support the family business - Watson Plumbing & Backhoe Co. until Humphrey retired the plumbing business in 1989.

Beulah was a member of the Aberdeen Baptist Church in Aberdeen, OH and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star where she formerly held the responsibility of Worthy Matron. Beulah most enjoyed her time with family and friends – whether that was over a hearty meal or homemade dessert, on a motorcycle or RV trip across the country or over a competitive game of cards – a practice she and Humphrey kept nearly every night until his passing. While most of Beulah's travels were within the United States, she often shared fond memories of her visit to the Holy Land with her dear Aunt Ada.

Beulah is often referred to by those who know her best as one of the toughest women around. She fought the odds in many respects of her life of nearly a century. She shared her love of embroidery and quilt making through her homemade gifts to others and was always happy to pass along her skills to family members who would sit with her to learn. Beulah's legacy of quiet service, commitment, family values and countless memories of cooking, camping and child-like play with her many grandchildren, nieces and nephews are what her family will forever hold close.

Beulah is survived by her son – Mefford Wayne Watson and his wife, Jill, of Peebles, OH; three grandsons – Steven Wayne Watson (Sarah) of Dover, FL; Gregory Martin Watson of Jensen Beach, FL; and Nicholas Ryan Watson (Elizabeth) of Melbourne, FL; one granddaughter – Courtney Elizabeth Rothwell (Jonathan) of Flower Mound, TX; 11 great-grandchildren – Alexa Watson, Steven Watson, Jr., Porter Stanley, Mason Stanley, Rees Stanley, Shay Watson, Jade (Bryce) Long, Justus Watson, Autumn Watson, Joanna Rothwell, Jonah Rothwell; two sisters-in-law – Francis Gulley of Flemingsburg, KY; Betty Smalley of Xenia, OH; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Beulah was preceded in death by her husband, Humphrey Martin Watson; an infant son, Gary Ray Watson; both parents, grandmother and brothers – Willard, Julian and Stanley.

Visitation and funeral services will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at the Aberdeen Baptist Church in Aberdeen, OH. Graveside services will immediately follow at the Big Run Cemetery (Hedger Chapel) in Wallingford, KY.

Memorials / Donations may be made to the Adams County Christian School or Hospice of Hope – Ohio Valley.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Knox and Brothers Funeral Home. Condolences at knoxbrothersfuneralhome.com