Jeanitta (Hoag) Watson

Jeanitta (Hoag) Watson, 92, of Byesville, passed away Thursday (June 22, 2023) at Summit Acres Nursing Home, Caldwell.

She was born May 28, 1931 in Cambridge, daughter of the late James Hoag and Garnet (Ford) Hoag.

She was a 1949 graduate of Byesville High School and still enjoyed attending the Alumni banquets every year. 

Jeanitta retired in 2002 from the Village of Byesville, where she had worked as the water clerk for thirteen years.  She had previously worked at the First National Bank for thirteen years.

On November 23, 1950 – Thanksgiving evening – Jeanitta married (Ronald) Ray Watson.  They were married for seventy-one years.  Ray passed away June 22, 2022.

Jeanitta was a member of the Rolling Hills School Board from 1990 to 1997 and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Acorn Chapter #205.  She was a Girl Scout leader and 4-H advisor for many years.  Jeanitta was a Red Cross swim instructor for fifteen years.  She also was a member of the Red Hatters and enjoyed going to their many outings.  Jeanitta enjoyed sewing, crafts, and talking to everyone – she was a very “people” person.  She was a collector of hats and shoes.

Jeanitta had been a longtime member of the Main Avenue United Methodist Church of Byesville, and, most recently, had been attending the Ninth Street United Methodist Church of Cambridge.

Jeanitta is survived by two daughters, Cornelia (Mike) Hull of Hesperia CA and Celeste Lashley of Byesville; her grandchildren, Michelle (David) Moran of Victorville CA, Brad (Giovanna) Hull of Victorville CA, Kyle (Laura) Hull of Riverside CA; Heather Lashley (Aaron McKinley) of Ashland, and Stephanie (Joe) Womack of Pleasant City; her great-grandchildren, Jon (Kaitlyn) Hull, Ella Hull, Owen Hull, Parker Connor, and Paige Lashley; and her great-great-granddaughter, Gisella Hull.

Visitation will be held Wednesday (June 28, 2023) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Black-Epperson Funeral Home, Byesville, where funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Rev. Nancy Parsons officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Byesville.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Jeanitta’s name to Hospice of Guernsey Inc., PO Box 1165, Cambridge OH 43725.

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