Lois Marie Abney Watson passed away on June 14, 2024 at the age of 98. Daughter of The Reverend and Mrs. Arthur C. Abney, Lois was born July 18,1925 in Brookport, IL and grew up in Pensacola, FL where she studied voice under the tutelage of professional opera singers from Austria (was a coloratura soprano) and piano. She moved with her parents to Marianna, FL when her father was called to the First Baptist Church to serve as Senior Minister. She became director of the church children’s choir, worked as Executive Assistant to Henry Nobles, President of Citizens Bank (now Truist) and enjoyed playing tennis and golf.
At the end of WWII, Lucien W. Watson, Jr. completed his service as 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corp. and returned to his home in Marianna. There he met Lois and they became engaged. After he completed his University of Florida pharmacy degree, they married August 18th, 1949, in a service officiated by Rev. Abney in Trenton, FL. They lived a short time in St. Petersburg, FL, before making their way back to Marianna.
Lois was actively involved behind the scenes, not only in her husband’s businesses (Watson Drug Store and Jewelers, and other businesses) but also in his civic and professional activities (city council, mayor, Rotary Club and State and National Pharmaceutical Associations). Like a muse, she was always inspiring and supporting him in business discussions with new ideas and an unwavering belief in his abilities and accomplishments. She was also a member of the Women’s and Garden Clubs.
With her elegant grace, sense of humor and uncompromising commitment to excellence, Lois spent her life making a warm and welcoming home for her husband and children. She was articulate, precise and spoke with purpose. Her advice? “Always be kind, since one never knows what challenges another person is facing.”
Lois was generous and loving to all who knew her. She was an avid reader and musician and loved the Lord. Her unwavering faith carried her throughout her life.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lucien; her parents, Rev. Arthur Columbus Abney and Eulalia Abney; her sister, Sarah Belle Abney Frye and her brothers, Arthur Chester Abney, Truett Robert Abney and Lowell Winford Abney.
She is survived by her children, Lucien W. Watson III and Philip Whitfield Watson (Susan), of Marianna; her daughter, Lauren Marie Watson of Boston, MA; her granddaughter, Alexandria Marie Watson (Mark Martin) and great granddaughter, Emerson Monroe, of Macon, GA. She enjoyed the role of grandmother to Jennifer Leigh Humphrey (Michael) and great grandmother to Braden, Kaelyn, Madelyn and Lincoln of Marianna, FL. She is survived by her sister, Lorene Abney Secord (Don) of Rock Hill, South Carolina and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be private in the Riverside Cemetery with Reverend Dr. Nathan Attwood officiating and Marianna Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First United Methodist of Marianna.
Condolences may be made online at [email protected]
