PARSON, Nancy "Alice" (WATSON)
WATSON, PARSON, MCKEE, SAFFELL, BULKELEY, POOLE, LEEPER, OTIS, BYBEE, OTIS, ANDERSON
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/4/2018 at 17:24:08
Nancy "Alice" (Watson) Parson
October 03, 1921 ~ February 19, 2018Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, IowaNancy Alice Parson peacefully passed February 19, 2018, at the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center in Des Moines, Iowa, where she has resided since October 2013.
Alice was born in Pittsburgh, Kansas, on October 3, 1921, the beloved daughter of John Henry and Anna Belle (McKee) Watson. She lost her mother at age 8, and was raised by her father and his two sisters, Jenny Saffell and Berdena Bulkeley. Alice graduated from Van Wert High School in 1940, where she participated in cheerleading and 4-H. After high school she lived at home with her father and siblings, Kenneth and Letha. She was employed as a housekeeper, while volunteering at the hospital as a Gray Lady. On September 25, 1942, she married Cecil Julius Parson. The young couple enjoyed all types of dancing and playing cards with a large circle of friends. They were blessed with three daughters, Vicky, Nancy, and Judy.
Alice was a lifelong member of the Loving Chapel United Methodist Church in Leon, having joined the church on March 29, 1959. In her younger days she served as a Sunday school teacher. Later it gave her great pleasure to deliver the Sunday church bulletin to the elderly who were unable to attend. For over 20 years Alice served the U.S. Postal Service as a Star mail route carrier. She loved sewing, cooking, and gardening. Her bags of gooseberries were welcomed gifts to friends and business associates. She enjoyed her home, especially spending time on her front porch swing and visiting with her neighbors. Her family fondly remembers her signature dishes of beef and noodles, and butterscotch and chocolate pies.
Alice’s life is celebrated by her children, Vicky Poole of Clive, Iowa, Nancy and David Leeper of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Judy and Joe Otis of Noblesville, Indiana. The life of Gram is celebrated by her grandchildren, Jodi and Matthew Bybee of Ankeny, Iowa, James and Meredith Poole of Urbandale, Iowa, Joshua and Jenni-brooke Leeper of Midland, Texas, Jared and Whitney Leeper of Grain Valley, Missouri, Julie Otis, and Grant Otis, both of Noblesville, Indiana, 12 great grandchildren, Ryan, Dylan and Blake Bybee, Sam, Kate and Libby Poole, Kiersten-brooke, Kiptyn, Anna-claire, and Anabelle Leeper, and Everett and Calvin Leeper, and other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, John Henry and Anna Belle Watson, step-mother, Florence Watson, husband, Cecil Parson, brother, Kenneth Wayne Watson, sister, Letha Lorene (Watson) Anderson, and son-in-law, James Leonard Poole.
Funeral services will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 2018, with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family for distribution to causes close to Alice’s heart.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2018
Decatur Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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