1925
Shirley Joyce Watson
2024
Shirley Joyce Watson
September 19, 1925 — May 27, 2024
Lehigh Acres, Florida
Shirley attended public schools in Tampa, FL. In 1941, at the age of 16, she graduated from Middleton High School. She earned a B. S. degree from Florida Memorial College, a M. Ed from Florida A&M University, and an Ed. Specialist degree from the University of South Florida. This dedicated educator taught at the University of Maryland Public School in Washington, DC, as well as in Hillsborough, Broward, Manatee, Collier, and Lee counties in Florida. She also served as a principal in Sanibel Elementary, Michigan Elementary, and was the first principal of Sunshine Elementary.
Mrs. Watson believed in the transformative power of education and instilled that value in all those under her tutelage. She leaves behind a rich educational legacy that provided professional opportunities, educational support, and development for many educators in Lee County. As a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Zonta International, the upliftment of people through education was the focus of her life.
Shirley was a scholar, educator, skilled orator, and a talented pianist who threw the best New Year's Eve parties. She was an avid reader who enjoyed engaging in political discourse, had a penchant for collecting antiques, and was a guardian ad litem. Mrs. Watson's post-retirement life included offering free tutoring and piano lessons to students in the Dunbar community, as well as being the musician for Trinity United Methodist Church. Affectionately known as "Mama Shirley," she reveled in her role as a great-grandmother to Trey and Mia as she spent the close of her golden years in Kentucky.
As the oldest of 9 children, Shirley received her Christian education as a child at Mt. Carmel AME Church in Robles Park, and it is where her music education began. She became a proficient pianist in the sanctuary of the church, and that foundation proved to be one of her most treasured assets. The music that shaped this versatile woman throughout her time was the very music she found herself singing in her final days. When questioned about which song she was humming, she said "His Eye Is On The Sparrow".
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Henry Watson, Jr.; her brother Melvin Dennard, sisters, Wanda Gardner, Barbara Jean Dennard Duncan, Audrey Parker, and Lanara Dennard.
Cherishing memories of Mrs. Shirley Watson are her children: Karen Church of Brandon, FL, Roosevelt Escalante (Marti) of Mt. Sterling, KY, and Alexis Escalante of Avon, CT; stepdaughter Cecilia Watson of Ft. Myers; siblings, Brenda Thompson of Riverview, Gloria Collins of Los Angeles, and Sheldon Dennard of Riverview; grandchildren, Leon Church, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Roosevelt Escalante III "Trey", Mia Escalante, Dhimond Church, Leondra Church; goddaughter, Antonette Gilmore; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Interment at Bushnell National Cemetery will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Lee County Black History
Society https://www.leecountyblackhistorysociety.org/
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Joyce Watson, please visit our flower store.
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