Fran Watson, age 80 of Joplin, passed away on Wednesday January 17, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Fran was born on November 17, 1937 in Brookfield, Mo. the daughter of the late Carl and Frances (Correll) Yount. She graduated from Clarence High School in Clarence, Mo. She attended Ozark Christian College and MSSU. Fran married John Watson on August 22, 1958 in Brookfield, Mo. and together they raised three children. In 1963 they moved to Joplin. She worked forty-one years as the Customer Service Manager at the 15th Street Wal-Mart Store #59. She was a longtime member of the Hornet Christian Church. While raising her family she enjoyed sewing and was a cub scout leader. She loved her job and spreading the word of Jesus to everyone she met, living out her motto “I would that you would know my Jesus.”

Fran is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, John Watson, Sr., of Joplin; one daughter, Titia Miller, of Joplin; two sons, John Watson, Jr., of Manchester, Conn., and Robert Watson and wife Lana, of O’Fallon, Il.; two sisters, Carolyn Pierce, and Linda Boling; four brothers; Carl Yount, David Yount, James Yount, and Shelby Yount; eleven grandchildren, Rob Watson and wife Courtney, Caleb Watson, Michaela Page and husband Caleb, Rachel Watson, Jael Watson, Leah Watson, Anna Watson, John Watson, III, Titia Watson, Jordan Miller and wife Hannah, and Josh Miller; one great-grandson, Ronun Page; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Hornet Christian Church. Butch Ward and Jim Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Hornet Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Fran’s grandsons.

The visitation will be 3-4 p.m. Sunday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to the Hornet Christian Church or Ozark Christian College in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.