Jeanette Howard Watford

On March 28, 2024, Jeanette Howard Watford passed peacefully at age 83. Born in Cleveland, Mississippi on May 24, 1940, she thrived and went on to graduate as her class valedictorian at Shaw School after attending Skene School until her senior year. She then went on to attend Delta State College. She lived her entire lifetime in the Skene community, except for a short period of time spent as a young girl in Millington, Tennessee.

Jeanette’s dream was to be married and have a loving family with children. She was a wonderful, selfless mother.  She cared deeply for her family, community, friends, and church. She was a very active lifetime member of Skene Baptist Church, where she enthusiastically served her church as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and Women’s Missionary Union leader, among many other roles.  She was an avid supporter of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon missions. 

On most days of her life, she could be found in the flower gardens surrounding her home outside of Skene, where she often planted bulbs, flowers, shrubs, and just about any other beautiful plants.  She was especially skilled with many varieties of colorful day lilies.  For many decades she was able to tend her gardens and lawn all by herself, and she was passionate and proud about this.   Spending the entire day in her lawn, even in the intense heat and humidity of the Mississippi Delta, brought her intense joy.   She loved to share her beautiful flowers and plants with friends and family.  She also frequently brought took meals, baked goods, and fresh flowers to the homes of her friends in the community, hospital, and nursing homes, especially those individuals were hurting and in need.   She was locally famous for her homemade pecan pies and lemon cakes.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Earl Watford and two children:  Julie Thimmes (Steve) Thimmes of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Ken Watford of Nashville, Tennessee, and her brother, Buddy Howard, of Skene Mississippi, her sisters, Claudia (William) Wilkerson of Cleveland, Mississippi and Gloria (William) McDonald of Drew, Mississippi.   She also leaves behind two granddaughters, Anna Claire and Kathryn. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Virginia Howard, her grandparents, Willis and Gertrude Hughes, and her youngest brother, Bill Howard.

Visitation will be Monday, April 1, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at Skene Baptist Church, in Skene, Mississippi, to be immediately followed by her Celebration of Life Service, also at Skene Baptist Church.  Her burial will be at New Cleveland Cemetery, Cleveland, Mississippi.  Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland, Mississippi is handling her final arrangements.   

Her compassion, love, and tireless service will be greatly missed.  She truly left this world a better place because of her lifetime. 

In leu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, providing care and support to those facing the challenges of Alzheimer's.