Melba Rose Watson

Rose Watson February 28, 1922 ~ July 6, 2020 Melba passed peacefully at her home in Fresno, at the age of 98 with family members and one of her devoted caregivers by her side. She was born and raised in New Orleans and attended schools in the Orleans Parish, 7th Ward. In 1946, she moved by train to Los Angeles where she met and married the love of her life, Earl Watson. As a young wife and mother, she was a freelance seamstress for clients at the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel. Later, she worked in the Unemployment Office in Hollywood, followed by a short career as a Century 21 Real Estate Agent, but her preferred calling was loving wife and mother. The family enjoyed trips to the beach, Pacific Ocean Park, Disneyland, dance parties and pool parties with friends. She made the best gumbo in town. She was very creative, sewing clothes for herself and her children and enjoyed painting with oils on canvas. She had a beautiful voice and often started her day with a song. Melba and Earl enjoyed traveling to Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. They moved to Fresno in the early 80s where they established many deep and lasting friendships. They were very active in charitable activities for veterans and disadvantaged children. Melba was predeceased by her loving husband Earl, their son, Earl Jr., and hanai son, Christopher “Karl” Lion; her parents, Inez Marie (Haynes) and Phillip Smith; brothers Quentin (Yolande) Smith and John (Audrey) Smith; sisters Celita (Walter) Maurice, Jeanne (Howard) Meziere, Gwendolyn (John) Roberts, Lynne (Lawrence Jr.) Guimont, and countless aunts, uncles and cousins. Melba is survived by their son, Alan Watson, daughter Coleen, and her husband Fred Patterson; grandson Eric Wilson; granddaughter Ashley and her husband Michael Wold, great-grandson Bodie Alan; grandson Dr. Jon Watson and his wife Dr. Marisa Liu, great-granddaughter Heidi Rose; step-grandchildren Ned Patterson and his wife Gina, Mary Mann and her partner Michael Krahmer; and extended family that includes Rochelle and Sarah McGowan. Melba is also survived by her beloved sisters Corinne (Henry) Bart and Robbie (Wilbur) Williams, beloved cousin Eunice (Ari) Lallande, nieces, nephews, cousins... and double-cousins! Days before her death, Mom said, “I’m so glad we had this time together…” In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Melba Rose Scholarship Fund (for disadvantaged students of color). Please mail checks payable to Wild Rose c/o Ashley Watson Wold, 4170 Glory Vista Terrace, Jackson WY 83001