Ruth Laverne Watson

Ruth Laverne Watson, 83, of Cleveland went to be with the Lord Saturday, February 5, 2022. Visitation will be Monday, February 7, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland, MS.  Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Ray Funeral Home interment immediately following in North Cleveland Cemetery.   

Laverne was born February 19, 1938, to Bilbo & Annie Ruth Ray Hays. She was the oldest of 11 children and spent her whole life raising children and loved taking care of them.  Laverne graduated from Shelby Public School in 1956.  She married Jimmy Watson February 22, 1957, at Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland, MS.  In her younger years you could find Laverne picking cotton, picking her guitar, & singing.  She also competed in a talent show against Elvis.  Laverne came in 2^nd & Elvis took 3^rd.  She was known as "The Meadowlark of HoneyBayou!".  Laverne loved singing with her friends, Larry & Floyd.  She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church for over 50 years, where she served as a Sunday School teacher & was active with the youth.  She did not miss a trip with the youth group.   Laverne was a counselor for save a life, and former member of the Optimist Club.  She worked at Baxter’s, Sherwin Williams, and retired in June of 2000 from the Cleveland School District. 

She is predeceased by her parents, Bilbo & Annie Ruth Hays; loving husband, Jimmy Watson; sisters, Elsie (Hays) Lindsey and Beverly (Hays) Spruill; brothers, OJ Hays, Leon Hays, and Lamar Hays; and great grandson, Parker Watson. 

Laverne is survived by daughters, JoDonna Watson Cox (AB) of Cleveland, MS and Stacy Powell (Buddy) of Summit, MS; sons, Dr. Bob Watson (Dr. Dianne) of Wesson, MS and Bo Watson of Cleveland, MS; grandchildren, Mike Powell (Rachel) of Brookhaven, MS, Justin Watson of Cleveland, MS, Kristi Orr (Guy) of Brookhaven, MS, Caroline Watson of Metairie, LA, Colton Watson, Cameron Watson, and Cade Watson all of Starkville, MS, Carter Watson of Wesson, MS, Madelyn & Dalton Watson of Cleveland, MS ), Paul Cox (Dene) Trace & Shannon Cox all of Cleveland, MS; sisters Wanda Ray of Merigold, Elizabeth Langston of Cleveland, MS, and Kathy Smith (Danny) of Heber Springs, AR; brothers Billy Hays (Sybil) of Boyle, MS and Don Hays of Cleveland, MS; great grandchildren, Jack Watson of Purvis, MS, Kennedy Cecile & James Powell of Brookhaven, MS, and Mason Orr of Brookhaven, MS; along with a host of nieces & nephews. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.