Rebecca Janell Watson

Rebecca Janell Watson entered peacefully into rest on December 24^th 2023 at the age of 97. Ms. Watson was born April 4^th 1926 in Metter, GA to Joseph Mackie Mercer and Eula Mae Mikell Mercer. Janell was the second of their 4 children (Including Melba, Francis and Grayson). Janell spent her childhood in Metter and graduated from Candler County High School in 1944. Later that year and at the height of WW II Janell moved to Augusta to contribute to the war effort at then Fort Gordon where she processed payroll for the military.

On one of her visits back to Metter on the bus she would see her future husband James M. “Jim” Watson who was just back from Pearl Harbor after the war and who was also a native of Metter. (Janell admitted later that she knew Jim while they were in grade school, but “wasn’t really fond of him then.”)

The two would marry in 1946 in Twin City, GA and later have 2 children, Mikell and Patricia. Janell was instrumental in helping her husband start-up a little motorcycle shop in the late 50’s which grew to be Southside Datsun in 1965 and later Sunbelt Nissan. She juggled all the struggles of a mother, an office manager and a wife and did so with grace.

Janell was a steadfast believer, bible reader and led an exemplary Christian life.  She was known by her family as a Prayer Warrior. She was a charter member of the Sherwood Baptist Church in Augusta where she taught Sunday school, volunteered as church secretary and seldom missed a service until later in life.

Janell is survived by her son Mikell (Sandra) Watson, daughter Patricia (Charles) Warren and grandchildren the late Paige Folley Christian, Todd Folley, Courtney Maggied, Rev. Michael C. Watson and Matt Watson, but she truly lived to enjoy the 11 great grandchildren she had as often as she could even shooting hoops and playing catch well after her 95^th birthday.

Janell was the benchmark by what a strong Godly wife, mother, grandmother and friend could be measured. She was always mindful and sensitive of others even before herself. Her genuine caring attitude was one of the reasons she was so endeared by everyone who knew her. She always offered a kind word and bright smile to everyone she met and in her 97 years she was loved by countless employees, church members, family and Brandon Wilde Friends.

Today we mourn the loss of a saint but the angels welcome one of their own.

The funeral service will be Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Scott Hearn officiating. Interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Breast Cancer Research Foundation 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036; bcrf@bcrfcure.org

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M.  at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484.