Marva McDowell Watson

Marva McDowell Watson, 82, a resident of Cape Coral, FL for the past 15 months, formerly of Seneca, SC and Upstate, NY, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022 in Cape Coral. She was born September 20, 1939 in Russellville, AL to John and Marie (Bowers) McDowell, now deceased.  

Marva graduated from Chamblee High School in Chamblee, GA in 1958, briefly attended Tift College in Forsyth, GA, spent many years working as a secretary for various companies/entities, including Coca Cola in Atlanta, GA, Reverend Ray Seay at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, a Christian school in Kentucky, the House of the Good Samaritan in Watertown, NY, and lastly St. Regis Paper Company in Deferiet, NY. She married Frederick Watson on June 29, 1975; a previous marriage ended in divorce. After St. Regis, she focused her attentions on being a wife, mother, and homemaker, spending countless hours in her gardens, canning her own produce, couponing/refunding, and taking care of the family finances, as well as the finances of her husband, Fred’s business. 

She spent most of her adult life advocating and caring for her beloved Brenda, a daughter with special needs.  She would not give up, even when advised by doctors to admit Brenda to an institution. Brenda proved the doctors wrong, because of Marva’s tireless devotion. She was a devout Christian who attended many churches over the years. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and held Bible studies. She was active in Women’s Aglow for many years, and influenced the faith walk of numerous people. She lived her life faithfully and prayerfully and was an inspiration to all who met her. Early in her life, she had a couple of special people who were spiritual mentors to her, whom she regarded as second Moms; they have since gone on to Heaven, but she carried on their legacy and became “Mom” to family friends, neighbors, etc. She fondly referred to these people as her “Angels,” as they helped her when she became homebound, taking her for appointments, mowing her lawn, fixing her computer issues, picking up groceries, etc. If you went to her home, you could count on her asking you to sign her Guest Book and being offered a hard candy and/or a root beer float. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, and love, and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. 

She is survived by her loving children, Brenda Blankenship of Laurens, SC, and Georgia Trembley (Dan) of Cape Coral, FL; stepchildren, Duane Watson (JoAnn) of Ashland, OH and Vicky Tapp of Perkinston, MS; daughter-in-law, Kelly Watson of Grapeview, WA; two “adopted” daughters, June Powers (Randy) of Jefferson, GA, and Sheila Burnett (Rhett) of Seneca, SC; sisters, Mary Chreitzberg of Lake Wales, FL, and Martha Gerald of Seneca, SC; as well as seven grandchildren, Mark (Danielle) and Adam Gagnon, Christina Watson Weaver (Samuel), Derrick Eggebrecht, James Tapp (Kelly), and Joel (Megan) and Jaime Watson (Megan); as well as eleven great grandchildren, Josiah-Benjamin, Lewis-Watson, Eden-Evangeline, and Elias-Finn Gagnon, Jaxen and JayCee Eggebrecht, Kaden Merritt, Victoria, Valerie, and Brendan Tapp, and Nora Watson.   

Marva was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frederick Watson in 2010; as well as stepson, Jeffrey Watson in 2016, and Hazel McCurdy and Alice Flaherty (her “other Moms”). 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on July 8, 2023 at the Martin House, next to the Sandifer Funeral Home, 512 E. Main St. Westminster, SC 29693 with a brief luncheon to follow. Guests are asked to bring a covered dish. Dessert will be provided. Guests are also asked to wear something red, as it was Marva’s favorite color. 

There will also be a Celebration of Life at 12:00 PM on July 23, 2023 at the Philadelphia United Methodist Church, 21 Main St. Philadelphia, NY with a brief luncheon to follow. Guests are asked to bring a covered dish. Meat/cheese platter and rolls will be provided. Please wear red, as it was her favorite color.  There will be an interment of ashes at Sanford Corners Cemetery in Calcium, N.Y. after the luncheon.   

Contributions may be made in memory of Marva McDowell Watson to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 670, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to a Home/School for the Developmentally Challenged.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.