Virginia Ilene (Gardner) Watson, 74, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, March 22, 2014.

Virginia was born on January 20, 1940, in Kirksville, Missouri, to Francis and Deta (Patterson) Gardner. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents.

On November 29, 1959, she was united in marriage to Dale Watson in Brashear, Missouri, who survives. To this union, three sons were born who also survive: Leon and his wife Kim of Osceola, Missouri; Carl and his wife Donna of Creston, Iowa; and Bryan and his wife Debra of Burke, Virginia.

Virginia is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Leon and Kim’s family include son, Zane Watson and his wife Cassey and daughter Riata, of Brandon, South Dakota; daughter, Shannon Bellis and her husband Garren, of Columbia, Missouri; daughter McKenzie Watson and her daughter Skylar, of Osceola, Missouri; and son, Garrett, of the home. Carl and Donna’s family include two daughters, Rebecca and Kelsey, both of the home. Bryan and Debra’s family include their two children, Andrew and Sara, both of the home.

Virginia was a resident of Northeast Missouri for most of her life. She was a graduate of Brashear High School and of Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri. Virginia was a committed educator, and was selflessly dedicated to her many students. She began her teaching career in Columbia Public Schools, teaching adult education classes. Later, she taught kindergarten and then Home Economics at Milan C-II Schools. She finished her teaching career at Kirksville R-III School District where she taught Family and Consumer Sciences.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville. She was also very active in many community events. She was a field editor for the Taste of Home magazine and enjoyed sharing her talents of sewing, quilting, and cooking with her family, friends, and community. In her retirement years, she and Dale enjoyed traveling with their antique tractors to many area parades and tractor shows.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at the Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville. Burial will follow at the Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville. A visitation is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in Virginia’s honor may be given to the Brashear Cemetery Association, an organization she served for a great many years. Contributions can be made through the Travis-Noe Funeral Home.