Mary (Burklow) Watson

Mary (Burklow) Watson, 87, resident of Eldorado passed from this life into eternal life with her Lord Jesus Christ, surrounded by family May 24, 2024. Mary had a battle with Parkinson’s, leaving her to need caregivers for several years. She loved each and every on of them and counted them a blessing from God. They surely made her day brighter. Mary was born December 16, 1936 to William Clinton Burklow, Sr. and Effie (Brown) Burklow of Eldorado. She married Arthur Lee Watson on August 8, 1953. Together they had two children: Arthur Steven Watson and Beth (Jesse) Rister. Mary loved her grandsons more than life. She loved having them around and spent many hours entertaining them and cooking for them as they were growing up. She loved telling them about Jesus. Mary is survived by he daughter: Beth (Jesse) Rister of Eldorado, grandsons: Justin Rister of Nashville, TN, Bryant (Shannon) Rister of Raleigh, one great granddaughter: Aspyn Leigh Rister, a brother: Bill (Wanda) Burklow of Eldorado. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by Her son: Arthur Steven Watson, sister and brother-in-law: Henry and Wanda Milligan and a niece Vickie Maloney. Mary graduated from the LPN program at SIC in the early 1970’s. She loved the medical field. She later obtained her RNBSN and nursing home administrators license. During her career she worked at Pearce Hospital, Dr. Earl Walker’s office, served as Director of Nurses at the Carrier Mills Nursing Home and later administrator of Fountainview Nursing Home in Eldorado. She retired from Coleman Tri-County Services to end her working career in 2004. She loved helping others. Besides working in the health care field, Mary enjoyed serving the Lord, always working in the church. For may years her and sister Wanda sang together to praise the Lord. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 9:00 am until service time at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Pastor Jon Henninger will officiate. Burial will be at Ebenezer Cemetery with committal services by Rick Gray. Colonial Terrace Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Vickie Maloney Scholarship Fund or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com