Sonia Eloise Watson, 86, of Jefferson City, passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Stone Bridge Adams Street Place.

 She was born on October 30, 1937, in Spicewood, Texas, the daughter of Cecil Rob and Esther Mae (Anderson) Middleton.

A graduate of Lee High School in Baytown, Texas, Sonia studied for two years at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.

Sonia started her career in clerical work but later transitioned into driving a truck for a living. She lost two husbands to cancer. She had a long-time marriage to Joe Stone. He taught her to drive a truck. They shared over-the-road adventures allowing them to travel the country in a semi. She eventually went to work for Salman and Sons, a contracting mail service company where she worked for many years. 

Sonia was a very creative person. She loved working with ceramics. While in Little Rock she operated a small ceramic shop behind her home. When her life took her back to Baytown to care for her father she opened a retail ceramic shop. After losing Joe to cancer, she returned to driving. She worked as an independent contractor around the Houston area. 

She reconnected with Pete Watson, the love of her life during this time. They eventually remarried and resided at Lake Livingston, Texas. She became active in the Eastern Stars and spent a year as a Worthy Matron. She enjoyed the years of involvement, and these were some of best years of her life.  Due to Pete’s declining health they eventually moved to Little Rock.

Sonia was a member and deacon of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She was also a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baytown, Texas during her years there.

She not only enjoyed her ceramic work, but she also loved to sew and quilt. She loved learning to use her embroidery machine. She enjoyed cooking, baking and spending hours outside in her garden. She not only took care of her plants but also her daughters.

Survivors include five children, Brenda (Jerry) Donaldson, Little Rock, Arkansas; Linda (Doug) McDaniel, Jefferson City; Jimmie Doyle (Debbie) Watson, Cleveland, Texas; Eva Porras, Baytown, Texas; and Helen Ruth Jones, Houston, Texas; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and one great-great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete Watson; her parents, Cecil and Esther Middleton; two sons-in-law, Frank Porras and Carroll Jones; a granddaughter, Tracy Lynn Watson; and a brother, Cecil Rob (Veta) Middleton.  Inurnment will be in Earthman’s Memorial Garden Cemetery in Baytown, Texas at a later date.

Memorials requested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com