Mary Margaret Moore Watley was born in Bagwell, Texas on January 15, 1923.
After graduation from Clarksville High School, she spent a year at the University of Texas. She was the widow of Vernon "Doc" Watley, M.D. The moves of his career took her to San Antonio, Texas; Syracuse, New York; Austin and Vega, Texas; Pineville, Kentucky, ending in Beaumont, Texas. Through all those years of Doc's doctoring, Margaret was always at his side helping in every way she could, sometimes working is his medical office. She was a lovely, engaging woman with an open heart and always became a beloved member of each community. Margaret served as the communications hub for all of the Moore & Watley family news. She loved working with people and got a job checking in students at the dining hall at Lamar University after Doc's retirement because she wasn't ready to retire. The Indian students appreciated her learning their names. She was in her seventies at this time and walked seventeen blocks round trip to work twice a day. Margaret never learned to drive, she was in excellent health and she loved to walk. Margaret collected costume and vintage jewelry and always matched her jewelry to her outfit.
Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved spouse; daughter, Rebecca Kay Watley of Vega; brothers, Charles Moore of Clarksville; Joe Moore of Austin; and Judd Moore of Elgin.
She is survived by brother, Bob Moore and his wife, Ray Jean, of Clarksville; George Moore of Austin; sister-in-law, Betty Moore of Elgin; and Jerrye Moore of Austin; daughter, Diana Margaret of Beaumont; and daughter, Patricia Porter of Caldwell, Idaho; sons, John Watley and his wife, Oma, of Winnie; Charles Watley and his wife, Nancy, of Mexia; James Watley of Santa Fe, New Mexico; foster daughters, Jacqui Andrus of Austin; Sylvia Kerl of China; and Lisa Thomas; longtime neighbor, Tony Perricone, whom Margaret treated as a son; eleven grandchildren and step-grandchildren, several great and great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Unity Church, 1555 South 23rd Street, in Beaumont, Texas 77707 followed by a potluck reception in the adjoining Nancy Amsted building.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimer's research. Make checks payable to "John Hopkins University," noting on the check "for Margaret Watley." Mail to: The John Hopkins University Department of Pathology/Ross 558, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, ATTN: Elaine Delman or donate online www.alzresearch.org/giving.cfm.
