Judith Lynn Watson, age 84, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. She was resting comfortably and was surrounded by her husband, her two sons, and her sister.
Judy was born on July 12, 1942, in Alton, IL., the daughter of the late James and Helen (Wurl) Landreth. Along with her older brother, Roger Landreth, and her younger sister, Annie (Landreth) Koehler, the family lived in Moro, Illinois, in a small house next to a cemetery where she often played as a child. She will be buried there next week, between the house she grew up in and the church she attended until she was an adult.
At the time, Moro had a two-room school house that Judy attended from first through sixth grade. In recent years, when her activity level was limited to taking drives with her husband and family members, she often enjoyed driving through Moro and reminiscing over stories of her childhood.
Judy shifted to the Edwardsville School district for grade seven, which seemed like a distant big city and an enormous school to her, but she rapidly learned to love it. She graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1960, the same year her family moved to Bethalto, IL, but she remained a life-long fan of the Tigers basketball team, even dragging her young children to games many years later. Much to Judy’s exasperation, they mostly spent the time playing under the bleachers.
After high school, Judy, her mom, and her sister swung by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) so Judy could apply for a job. While waiting, a young engineering technician walked past and Judy’s sister nudged her and said, “He’s cute.” Judy agreed and married him a few years later, on June 22, 1963. Roger and Judy Watson were inseparable for the next 63 years, until her passing a few days ago.
Roger wanted to become a civil engineer, and when Judy got a job in Columbia, MO, Roger got accepted at the University of Missouri. They lived in a small trailer home while Judy worked to put Roger through school.
After Roger graduated, they moved to Edwardsville. Roger returned to work at IDOT and attended graduate school at SIUE. They also began a family. Their first child, Todd, was born in 1967, followed by Craig in 1969. Raising a family became Judy’s focus for the next two decades, although she also worked for years in Edwardsville.
She and Roger developed a love of square dancing and spent many years dancing frequently and traveling with the square dance group. She joined a women’s volleyball group in the 1980s that became a social outlet for her. The group continued to meet even after they no longer played and Judy remained friends with some of the members for the rest of her life.
Judy and Roger also loved to camp and hike, camping once or twice a month every summer and culminating with a five week long road trip around the American West in 1983 when the boys were teenagers.
Judy and Roger also loved to travel and continued to do so after the boys were grown, ranging as far away as Alaska and Hawaii. They particularly loved bluegrass music and attending bluegrass festivals all over the country until extended travel became difficult. Her last trip was in 2022. She spent her remaining years at home, in Edwardsville, visiting with family in the area. Her son, Craig, and his children all still lived nearby and she saw them every week. Todd visited frequently.
Judy was a devoted grandmother. Craig and his wife, Lynette (Sherman) Watson, have three children: Mason, Reece, and Sloan. Judy attended every music, sporting and robotics event those three were involved with their entire live. Todd and his wife, Jill Watson, have two children, Mallory and Gwyneth. Todd’s family lived in Michigan, and Roger and Judy made a pact to never go more than six weeks without seeing their grandchildren, a promise they kept until Mallory and Gwyneth graduated high school.
Judy’s brother preceded her in death, passing away in 2021. In addition to her husband, two children and five grandchildren, she is survived by her sister, numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
Judy lived a long, happy, and fulfilling life. She will be missed dearly.
Judy was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Edwardsville, 3601 Ridge View Rd. A visitation will be held there on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 9:30 am until 11:30 am. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 am also at the church with Rev. Dr. John C. Hembruch officiating. Interment will be at Moro Cemetery in Moro, IL. Casual, weather appropriate attire is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Glen-Ed Pantry. Please designate the donation be for Brown Bag Buddies School Lunches Fund in memorial of Judy. Memorials may also be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Edwardsville, IL. Online condolences may be expressed at weberfuneralhome.com.
