Kathryn Louise Watson

Kathryn “Kathy” Louise Watson was born on March 31, 1949 to George and Nelly-Mae Kelly. Kathy departed this earthly life on Friday, February 25, 2022.

Kathy was the youngest of eight children and having lost her mother at a very early age, she depended greatly on her loving sisters and spoke fondly of them. Kathy attended school within the Topeka Public School System. She graduated from Topeka High School and attended Kaw Area Vocational-Technical College, earning a certification. Kathy worked at Luce Press Clippings for over thirty-four years before retiring in 2014.

Kathy married George Bradley August 31, 1968 and was blessed with three sons: Jerry, Steven, and John Bradley. Later, Kathy married James Watson, Jr. August 8, 1988, and was blessed with her fourth son, James “Jimbo” Watson III. She enjoyed motherhood and was very nurturing. She was very proud of her sons. Being born and raised in Topeka, Kathy felt that Topeka was her home and she enjoyed living her life in Topeka close to her baby son, Jimbo.

Kathy was an enthusiastic University of Kansas basketball fan and enjoyed watching the games. She looked forward to March Madness every year and discussing the games with her children and grandchildren by phone and text. She was also a fan of the K.C. Chiefs. She liked listening to blues music, The Steel Wheels Band and the Blue Medal Band. Her favorite movie was Overboard. She also enjoyed watching horror movies with her grandchildren and they enjoyed watching her trying not to cover her eyes as she screamed and smacked her hands on the sides of her face (not covering her eyes) saying, “I can’t watch this” while watching ‘til the end, then asking, “what’s next?” Her eyes truly lit up at the sight of her sons and grandchildren. Kathy was also an avid dog lover. Her last two dogs were pugs, Tonya, Nelly and Gizmo.

Kathy was preceded in death by her mother Nelly-Mae Kelly, her father George Kelly, four brothers Wallace “Wally” Kelly, William “Billy-Bob” Kelly, Eugene “Genie” Kelly, and Rueben Kelly, her husband James “Jim” Watson, Jr., her son Steven Wayne Bradley, and her grandson Jaymes Isaiah Bradley.

Kathy leaves to cherish her memory her sons Jerry (Ronda) Bradley of Topeka, KS, John (Kimberly) Bradley of Fort Worth, TX, and James “Jimbo” (Becky) Watson III of Topeka, KS; her daughter (Steve’s widow) Jennifer Bradley of Topeka, KS; her sisters Donna (George) Degan of Topeka, KS, Patsy (Lee) Myrick of Topeka, KS, and Ruth (Leo) Carvalho, of Independence, KS; fourteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Memorial services will be Friday, March 4, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Davidson Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

www.davidsonfuneral.com