Dr. Evelyn Marie Shepherd Watson
Evelyn Marie Watson (nee Shepherd) was born on November 21, 1952, in Selma, N.C., to Alvester Shepherd and Doris Faye High. She transitioned on Sunday April 6, 2025, at UNC Johnston Health in Smithfield, NC.
Marie was the mother of two children, Tina and Brian Brown, and happily married to her husband, Emmett Eugene Watson, for 43 years.
Marie graduated with an Associate's in Business Administration from Johnston Community College, a Bachelor's in Human Sciences graduating Summa Cum Laude and a Master's of Elementary Education graduating Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina Central University, and a Doctor of Theology from the Bible Faith International Seminary.
Marie began her work at Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action Inc. in 1979 and led the agency as Executive Director for 37 years. On January 24, 2015, Marie was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the NAACP, and on June 30, 2018, she was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper, the highest honor for civilians in North Carolina.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Alvester Shepherd and Doris Faye Shaw, son, Brian Brown, husband, Emmett E. Watson, and brother, David Brown.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter, Tina Brown, god-daughter, Laura Pierce, grandchildren, Christian DeAndre Allen-Brown, Zoe Marie Jimenez, Brian Louis Jimenez, bonus children, Victor Badger, Leslie Watson, Eric Watson, sister, Angel Shepherd, sister in love, June Brown, 10 bonus grandchildren, 9 bonus great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives, friends and coworkers.
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Arrangements:
Viewing: Friday April 11, 2025, at Holy Temple Church of God 228 Montgomery Heights Rd., Selma, NC from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. (2 MINUTE REMARKS WILL BE ALLOWED HERE)
Funeral Services Saturday April 12, 2025, at Shiloh Christian Church 211 Durham St Smithfield, NC 27577. Viewing from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon. Funeral at 12:00 noon. (NO REMARKS WILL BE ALLOWED HERE)
In lieu of flowers please send monetary donations to the Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action Fund, P.O. Drawer 711 Smithfield, NC 27577 made payable to JLHCA, Inc. with E Marie Watson in the memo line.
Guest Book
Family or Deceased Name: Rita Marie
Your Name: Renae Foy' Noriega
Email: renor1@yahoo.com
Message: I am going to truly be missed you.
My tears are flowing only for joy that your going home to be with our family who has already gone home and with Jesus.
Love you, my cuz Rita
Date: 2544239609
Family or Deceased Name: E. Marie Watson
Your Name: Velvaline and Nathaniel L Sanders Jr
Email: nls21325@gmail.com
Message: We wish to offer our condolences to the family of Dr. Marie Watson. She was a very kind person and made a difference in the lives of many. She is now in a place where there will never be any pain. May she rest in eternal peace.
Family or Deceased Name: Dr. Marie Watson
Your Name: Marc Garner-Atlanta, GA
Email: emgarnerea6@aol.com
Message: We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Yet, Dr. Watson managed to do more than most. So, accomplished. I admire the way she strove for greatness in silence, yet spoke so loudly in her service to family and the community. Cousin Marie will be missed. With heavy hearts, I'm offering condolences and prayers on behalf of the Garner family.
Date: 4122025
Family or Deceased Name: Pastor Marie Watson
Your Name: Glenda Ruffin
Email: gdruffin@yahoo.com
Message: My condolences , Love and comfort to the family of this beautiful soul. There has never been and will never be a more loving, caring, kind and respectful person as Mrs Watson. She was a great leader that cared about all of her staff. She treated everyone with kindness and respect. There is none like her. She will be missed by JLHCA, and in the community.
Date: 41125
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Vivian Leggett
Email: leggettvivian33@gmail.com
Message: She will really be missed!!
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs. E. Marie Watson
Your Name: Lavette Connelly
Email: alconnelly731@gmail.com
Message: Mrs. Marie memories will always be a source of comfort. She was dedicated to her service in the community. She was truly a people person. My heart and prayers go out to the family.
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs. Marie Watson
Your Name: Tanya Holley
Email: tanyashholley@gmail.com
Message: My deepest condolences to family of the beloved Mrs. Watson. She was a wonderful person and a pillar in the community. She will be greatly missed.
Date: 4112025
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs. Marie Watson
Your Name: Clara Simmons-Blanding of Charlotte, NC
Email: clarablanding@gmail.com
Message: My condolences to Mrs. Marie's family. She was so special to my mother (Mrs. Clara Simmons of Selma) when she worked at Community Action years ago. My mother spoke highly of her. My sister Della Gullatt worked with her and now my niece Monica Gullatt who looked up to Mrs. Marie like a second mother. Monica shared fond memories of her work experience and personal time with Ms. Marie. She will be greatly missed by us all. God has called her home to rest, and we are so grateful to her family for allowing us to be in her presence. To her family, may God bring you peace during this challenging time.
Date: 7047330661
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs Marie Watson
Your Name: Angela H Hales
Email: hales1995@gmail.com
Message: I send my sincere condolences to the family of Mrs Watson. I am a teacher with Head Start and I have had the great privilege to know her for 29years. She was a wonderful role model with unwavering faith that she shared with us. She will truly be missed in the hallways and meetings of Community Action and Head Start. I send my prayers to her beloved family, her friends and our co-worker for peace, strength and comfort in the days ahead. 🙏🏻
Date: 04112025
Family or Deceased Name: Dr. Marie S. Watson
Your Name: Bettie Revell
Email: bettiejoeann2451@gmail.com
Message: My prayers are with you all, my deepest condolences go out to the families, she's going to be missed deeply. My sister you're in the Arms of God, take your rest as you and him have a pleasant conversation of praises and lots of laughter. 😇🙌👏💕
Date: 9192741567
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Vanessa M. Barr
Email: Coreyjr19@yahoo.com
Message: My condolences and prayers to the family. She was a special person and will surly be missed by the Head Start Program. God Bless.
Date: 910-814-2869
Family or Deceased Name: Dr. Evelyn Marie Shepherd Watson
Your Name: Kossi Koumaple
Email: kossi.koumaple@jlhcommunityaction.org
Message: L'essentiel est invisible. Observer les étoiles adoucit la nuit, car elles deviennent comme des compagnes silencieuses. Une étoile parmi elles, particulière, sera un souvenir unique, un cadeau symbolique pour la famille et la communaute.
Date: 04102025
Family or Deceased Name: Dr. Marie Watson
Your Name: Kini Heyl
Email: kini.heyl@jlhcommunityaction.org
Message: My heart goes out to all who knew Marie. Please accept my most sincere condolences during this difficult time. Marie was a remarkable woman whose life left a lasting mark on everyone she encountered. Her kindness, strength, and unwavering faith touched hearts in the community, at work, and church.
Marie’s legacy is one of service, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to living for Jesus. She led by example, lifting others up and spreading light wherever she went. Though words can never fully ease the sorrow of her absence, may we find comfort in remembering the way she lived—with purpose, love, and a heart centered on Christ.
As we mourn her loss, let us also honor her memory by continuing the work she so passionately believed in — sharing God’s love and serving others with grace. May her life inspire us all to walk closer with the Lord and carry forward the legacy she so beautifully began.
With heartfelt sympathy and prayers,
Mrs. Kini Heyl (JLHCA)
Date: 04-09-2025
Family or Deceased Name: Dr. Marie Watson
Your Name: Dr. Edna S. Watson
Email: ewatson45@nc.rr.com
Message: My deepest condolences to the family for the loss of such a precious friend. Marie and I were classmates and friends. Her sweet spirit is resting in the arms of God, who never fails.
Date: 9192841097
Family or Deceased Name: Dr. Evelyn Watson
Your Name: Elizabeth Anne Temple
Email: etemple92@yahoo.com
Message: Congratulations on her award of Order of the Long Leaf Pine. We will make Johnston County, N.C. great. Love, Anne (member of Johnston Co. NC branch, NAACP)
Date: 9199092556
Family or Deceased Name: Dr. Evelyn S Watson
Your Name: PASTOR JAMES PERRY
Email: perryjames1945@gmail.com
Message: OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE WATSON FAMILY.OUR GOOD GOD WILL GET YOU THROUGH THIS TIME OF SORRY.PASTOR JAMES & LADY LUCRETIA PERRY.ST DELIGHT & WARREN'S CHAPEL CHURCHES.
Date: 2528135097
Family or Deceased Name: Dr Evelyn Watson
Your Name: Joan Richardson
Email: jokari837@gmail.com
Message: My condolences to Marie’s Family, We met in school in the low grades and whenever we saw each other we always made up for lost time. A very kind and sweet person.
Date: 492025
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs. Evelyn Marie Watson
Your Name: Geraldine McKoy
Email: geraldine.mckoy@jlhcommunityAction.org
Message: Mrs. Watson was one of a kind. Even though she was not feeling well, she pressed her way to work. She will be remembered and acknowledged for her dedication and love. To Tina and the family, my condolence and prayers are with you as you celebrate the life and burial of Mrs. Marie Watson.
Date: 910-893-5369
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Toney and Saundra Stancil
Email: tstancil8@nc.rr.com
Message: We will miss you. However, GOD never makes a mistake.
Date: 919-269-6491
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Ruffin Family
Email: ruffintherisa@gmail.com
Message: Our family extend our deepest condolences. May God keep each of you wrapped in his arms during this time of sorrow. Tina, we are here for you family. Therisa Ruffin Shaw (poochie), Dwayne Ruffin and the rest of the Ruffin family
Date: 4,9,25
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Shepard Watson
Your Name: Pastor Deborah McNeil Chance
Email: divinediversityministries2020@gmail.com
Message: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Sending Prayers Love and Lights Abundantly to the family. May The Most High God continue to cover all of you and keep you under His protective hedge. 🙏🏾
Date: 040925
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs. Maria Watson
Your Name: Martha Williams
Email: mewmartha247@gmail.com
Message: Mrs. Watson will be greatly missed by all and especially by the Head Start Program. She had a heart for the children, and she work diligently to make sure they received the best from the Head Start Program.
Date: 910-658-01485
Family or Deceased Name: E. Marie Watson
Your Name: Marla Shearin
Email: marla.shearin@jlhcommunityaction.org
Message: My thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Marie's family. She will be dearly missed by the Head Start/EHS community as well as anyone who knew her. I remember the first time I met Mrs. Marie almost 22 years ago at JLH Head Starts Preservice on my first day of work. I remember the feeling of being welcomed by her and that was when I knew God had sent me to Head Start. She ALWAYS let us know that her door was ALWAYS open and I knew she cared for me as a coworker and person. I am so glad she was a part of my life. May she Rest in Peace with her Lord and Savior.
Date: 9193306803
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Kelly P Lampkin
Email: kountrysyde@gmail.com
Message: Please accept condolences from me and mine to you and yours. Trust and Know that Marie is now with The Ancestors and there is no better place to be. I will cherish the memories and love that she showed me.
Date: 9107339251
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Pamela Snead
Email: pamsnead123@gmail.com
Message: I worked for JLHCA for 24 years. Mrs. Watson was a great leader and always had time for a hello and how is the family. She will surely be missed by all everyone that knew her. I pray for peace and love to her family. She has received her reward.
Date: 9196317504
Family or Deceased Name: Pastor Marie Watson
Your Name: Ronnie, Kim, Kamaara Lucas
Email: prec22@gmail.com
Message: We send our love and deepest condolences to the family. We know you will cherish your precious memories, and Marie will live on in all of our hearts.
Date: 04-08-2025
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Andoria Williams
Email: helperforhim6@gmail.com
Message: Rest in Peace Mrs. Marie. Prayers of comfort for the family. Dunn Head Start Learning Center Staff
Family or Deceased Name: Pastor Marie Watson
Your Name: Harriet Whitley
Email: htootiepie@aol.com
Message: My condolences and prayers to the family of Pastor Watson and to her entire Church Family. She was a great woman of God, that truly showed her love for Him, every time we were in the presence of each other. U fought a good fight, now God has called His angel home🙏🙏🙏🙏
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Jean Richardson
Email: jean72nk@live.come
Message: Sorry for your loss Praying for the family God Bless
Date: 9735192131
Family or Deceased Name: Marie Watson
Your Name: Chris Frazier
Email: c4frazier86@gmail.com
Message: Mrs. Marie was such a special person and I am so lucky to have known her. I will treasure those memories and remember what a wonderful woman she was and a cousin. Tina as a friend and cousin I am here to love and support you at any time. I am here for you if you need someone to listen to you or a friendly face to talk and even a phone call. I am here. Love you always
Date: 04082025
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