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Paula Lee Harris, 72
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Published: Sep 7, 2024, 8:08 PM

Rock Island resident and Buffalo, N.Y. native Paula Lee Harris, 72, was born Jan. 12, 1952 and died Sept. 5, 2024 at her residence following a short illness. 

A homemaker and interpreter for the deaf, she was the daughter of the late Frank Earl Hoy and June Ester Webb Hoy Bateman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by first husband, John Bassett and second husband, Victor Harris.

Mrs. Harris is survived by children, John (Debbie) Bassett and Jennifer (Jerry) Hensley both of Mechanicsville, Va. and Kelly (Joe) Schoolfield of Rock Island; step-son, Bryan Harris; grandchildren, Allyson Bower, John Bassett Jr., Daisy Coates, Erica Devore, Katelyn Kichta, Madison Stevens, Caedmon Schoolfield, Liam Schoolfield, Ben Schoolfield, Simon Schoolfield, Ellyanna Schoolfield and Olivia Schoolfield; great-grandchildren, Autumn, Juliette, Gideon, Chloe, Hayden, Valerie and Leeland; brothers, Kevin Hoy and Kent Hoy; sisters, Pamela Harris and Claudia Richardson; step-parents, Roy and Shirley Bateman and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at Old Bybee Chapel Cemetery in Rock Island. There will be no service or visitation at High's. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan's Purse or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) Sept. 8, 2024
Martha Raye Watson, 71
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Published: Apr 7, 2025, 1:49 AM

McMinnville resident and Coffee County native Martha Raye Watson, age 71, was born Jan. 17, 1954 and died April 2, 2025 at Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro following an extended illness.

A retired caregiver and member of the Church of Christ, she was the daughter of the late Willie and Ethel St. John Crouch. Mrs. Watson was married December 29, 1970 to Fred B. Watson, Jr. who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings, Donna McCormick, Richard Crouch and Ruth Rogers.

She is survived by sons, Fred B. Watson, III and David A. Watson (Sydney Brown) both of McMinnville; daughter, Tonia L. (Carlos) Copley of McMinnville; seventeen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; sister, Ann McCormick of the Smartt Station community and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Warren County with Wayne Cantrell to officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.