Connie Ruth Watson passed away suddenly on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the age of 74. She was born in Kingsville, Texas on September 8, 1949, to Tas Silas Watson, Jr and Geneva Pemberton Watson. The family moved to Fairfield where Tas grew up, first to Red’s Lake in 1957 then into town in 1959. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1968, then attended Texas Women’s College majoring in Physical Education. While in high school, she was an outstanding athlete scoring high points in basketball and won awards in tennis. In later years, she became a scratch golfer, and took time to teach kids on golf swings. She worked at Freestone Country Club 1977-1993, working up to General Manager over the clubhouse, restaurant, bar and 18-hole golf course. Prior to that she worked for Sam’s Restaurant a couple years. Following the country club, she worked for Pronto Food Stores, working up to manager then a supervisor of managers. She started as manager for Taco Bell/KFC when it opened in Fairfield in 1998 and worked five years. She developed ovarian cancer, followed by surgery and chemo treatments, becoming free of cancer for almost 17 years. Although she developed arthritis, the last few years she worked for Brookshire Brothers in Fairfield, and it became her second home and the employees her second family. She was literally “hobbled” by arthritis, but was stubborn and tough as nails, and loved her work and friends there.
Connie was a “One of a Kind” character, even a bit quirky at times. Her famous ability at storytelling could often bring tears to your eyes with laughter. She had the ability to repair just about anything, an innate skill passed on by her mother. She enjoyed teaching kids about life, sports, and job skills. However, the real love she had was for her great nephew and niece, River and Rainy Bonds. They received most of her lessons, especially in how to raise their Fair pigs, as well as many other projects and chores, including how to clean up a yard anytime she needed help!
She was a member of the Jonathan Hardin Chapter of the NSDAR and she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Having a love for travel, she went to the New England area, especially Salem, and also went to the World Poker Tour in Las Vegas, Nevada, having played poker many years. She did several trips with golf ladies to play in tournaments around the state. She loved M&M characters and everything Disney where she and Jenny went one year just for fun. Every year at County Fair parade time, she hosted gatherings in the shade of her lawn, always with water, soft drinks, and food available, as well as chairs and sometimes fans. She was a very good cook, especially meats and desserts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Tas and Geneva Watson, and her younger sister, Denise Watson Wells. Connie is survived by her older sister, Jenny Calame (husband Jerry), her niece Maggie Bonds (husband Jerry “Bondo”), and their two children River and Rainy Bonds of Fairfield, and her niece Neva Stephens (Zachary Cotonuts) and their 3 children Kenai, Sofia, and Kion of Cortez, Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Freestone Cancer Support Group, P. O. Box 1522, Fairfield, Texas 75840. Due to loving animals, even strays, another would be a donation to an animal shelter.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Fairfield First United Methodist Church on Thursday, February 8, with visitation at 10:00 followed by the service at 11:00. Connie has been cremated and her remains will be buried in the Tas and Evelyn Watson plot in the Fairfield Cemetery at a later date.
