Elaine Johnson Watson

Elaine Johnson Watson died Wednesday, July 9, 2014, surrounded by her family at her home in Kingsport. A Sneedville native, Elaine was born Sept. 8, 1940, to James Melvin and Julia Alder Johnson, both of whom preceded her in death. She moved to Kingsport with her family at a young age, growing up in the Orebank community. She was a 1957 graduate of Ketron High School. Elaine met her husband of 55 years, Joe, while working at Oakwood Market. Together they raised their three children in Kingsport.

She was a Red Cross instructor and clinic volunteer at Andrew Johnson Elementary School. She also devoted time to helping children and adults with developmental needs and volunteered at Juvenile Court. Elaine worked several years at Morrow's Nut House in the Ft. Henry Mall, as well as Parks-Belk, and she retired from Lowe's Home Improvement after 16 years of service. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Kingsport. She had a love for old-time Gospel music.

Elaine was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved her family with all her heart, taking special joy in seeing her three grandsons grow to maturity.

She is survived by her husband, Samuel "Joe" Watson; a daughter, Dr. Elaine Watson Hatch and husband George, Signal Mountain; two sons, Samuel "Joey" Watson II and life partner Kelly Trottie, Johnson City, and David A. Watson, Kingsport; two sisters, Brenda Johnson Peters and husband Roger, Kingsport, and Paula Johnson Morris, Knoxville; one brother, J.M. Johnson Jr. and wife Barbara, Powell; three grandsons, 1st Lt. William Hatch and wife Erica, Ft. Irwin, California, 2nd Lt. David Hatch, Signal Mountain, and Tim Hatch, Knoxville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family extends special thanks to the caregivers at Wellmont Hospice.

A celebration of life for Elaine Johnson Watson will be conducted Saturday, July 12, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Kingsport. The family will receive friends from 1-2:30 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Elaine's memory may be made to First Baptist Church or to the American Lung Association, 1466 Riverside Drive, Suite D, Chattanooga, TN 37406