Sue Carol Gardner Watson heard “the Master’s call” on February 4, 2025 at her home. On July 10, 1937 a baby girl was born in Memphis, Tennessee, Bea and L.B. “Gravy” Gardner lovingly adopted her and named her, Sue Carol. Seventeen years later Sue married Donald Lee Watson and joined him and a precious daughter, Cherry for 64 years of marriage. Of this union was born a dear daughter, Suellen, and two dear sons, Don Allen and Billy. She became a grandmother of eleven and a great grandmother of seventeen whom she adored watching grow up. She was a true matriach of her family and she loved interactively sharing her faith at family gatherings by telling the Easter Story and Christmas Story with the children.
Sue attended Broadway United Methodist Church her entire life where the Gardner family can be traced back to 1891 as members. She was a graduate of Augusta Tilghman High School. When her children were young she was a Cub Scout Leader and a Brownie/Girl Scout Leader and PTA President at Brazelton Junior High School. She was a past member of Junior Woman’s Club and Cardinal Homemakers Club where she won several First Place and Best of Show ribbons at the West Kentucky Fair for handmade Christmas Stockings and African Violets.
Sue worked at Claussner’s Hosiery Mill before raising her children. She worked as a cashier in the cafeteria and then as office manager at Paducah Middle School for 27 years. During her years at Paducah Middle School she was awarded the Extra Mile Award given by the Chamber of Commerce and she shared her crafting talent by making Christmas ornaments for the teachers every year. After retiring she became a permanent administrative substitute for Paducah Head Start until 2010 when she survived a stroke.
Sue was a long time fan of Elvis Presley, UK basketball, and gospel music by The Gaither’s, her favorite. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, especially visiting beloved and admired U.S. Amish Communities.
Sue was an inspiration of love and courage to all who knew her and will be missed terribly by her surviving family. Children, Cherry Harper (Mike), Suellen Feldner (Robert), Don Allen Watson (Cathie) all of Paducah and Billy Watson (Christy) of Louisville. Her grandchildren, Brian Harper (Deanna) of Benton, Kevin Harper of Hanover, IN, Ethan Feldner(Blair), Truman Feldner, Emily Flournoy (Matt), Nolan Feldner all of Paducah, Miranda Watson of New Albany, IN, Jonah Watson (Eden) of Fort Wayne, IN, Bea Watson of Louisville, Zannie Hanan (Wayne) of Nashville, Zac Thacker (Henny) of Twenty-Nine Palms, CA and seventeen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Watson and her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 9, 2025 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Justin Ramer officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Kenton Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Broadway United Methodist Church, 701 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001 or to your favorite charity.
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