Jane Louise (Knauss) Watson, 84, passed peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father in the early morning hours of March 31, 2016 in Spring, Texas. She was a longtime resident of Southwestern Missouri, living in both Joplin and Noel. Mrs. Watson was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Watson, Sr., her mother and three brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Leah Thomas (Rudolph Thomas), of Spring, Texas and her son, Robert C. Watson, Jr. (Ellen Watson) of Manhattan, Kansas. She is also survived by grandchildren Sheran LaCaze (David LaCaze), John McDonough (Edna McDonough), Adam Watson (fiancé Lauren Allen), and Megan Thomas, and four great-grandchildren, Lyndsay, Eliana, Evelyn, and Allijah. Mrs. Watson also leaves her sisters-in-law, Vivian Knauss and Mary Ann Knauss, as well as a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Jane was truly a leap-year day baby. At her birth, her mother’s doctor convinced her that Jane would have an easier go in life if she had an annual birth date to celebrate rather than one every four years. Officially, Jane’s birth date is February 28, 1932, but she was actually born shortly after midnight on February 29. At her death, Jane had just celebrated her 21st birthday. Jane spent her formative years in Jim Thorpe (formerly Mauch Chunk), Pennsylvania, and shortly after graduating from high school, enlisted in the Army in 1950. She was intensely proud of her military service during the Korean War at Murphy Army Hospital as a nurse tending to injured soldiers returning from combat. It was there she met and later married Bob, her boyfriend and husband of 54 years. After her honorable discharge from the Army, Jane focused on raising her family and worked for many years in Real Estate Management in Northern Virginia. Jane followed her husband to Junction City, Kansas where he served as Chief of Police. When he retired from law enforcement, Jane and Bob moved to Noel, Missouri where they owned and managed a newspaper and the golf pro shop at the Elk River Golf Cub. Jane was a voracious reader, loved gardening, and was an outstanding cook.
Jane was a member of several notable organizations. She was a life member of the American Legion. Although inactive in later years, she remained a member of the Martha Washington Chapter of Eastern Star. She was an active member of both the Lady of the Elks and a member the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Joplin Lodge 501 where she served as the Americanism Chair. Sometimes identified as the “Flag Lady”, it was not unusual for her to “gently” remind businesses in Joplin to replace their worn and tattered American Flags so as to better honor the country and those who served to defend her.
The family requests that any donations in her name be made to a charity or hospice of your choice…or to none…as your heart leads you.
A memorial service will be held on April 23, 2016 from 2-4 pm at the Mason-Woodard Funeral Home in Joplin, MO.

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