Myrtle C. Watson

On October 16, 1920, Myrtle Christine Gammon was born to Lynn Joseph Gammon and Channie Ferguson Gammon in the village of Giatto, Mercer County WV. Lynn Joseph was a moderator of the Baptist churches in the area and Channie was a domestic engineer. Myrtle Christine was the sixth child and third daughter of Lynn and Channie Gammon.

In 1924, her father suffered a massive stroke while preaching and departed this life, leaving a widow and seven children.

In 1929, Channie married Reverend Rufus Wood and they had one child.

From 1929 - 1941 the family moved from farm to farm in various parts of West Virginia for work. During that time, Christine (as she would become known) attended high school where her teacher changed her schedule to add typing and shorthand so that Christine would acquire office skills.

In 1941, Christine graduated from high school and with her newly acquired office skills, the following year, 1942, she landed a job as a clerk secretary in Dayton, Ohio. Christine continued working as a clerk secretary during World War II.

After the war in 1945 , Christine moved to Columbus, Ohio. Christine's sister, Hazel asked her to go to Timken Roller Bearing Company and apply for factory work with her. Christine landed a job at the Timken Company where she met Onzelow Jack Watson. The following year 1946, Onzelow Jack and Christine were married, at which time she stopped working at the Timken Roller Bearing Company.

From 1946 - 1958, Christine was a stay at home mother caring for her and raising the couples four children, Samuel, Sandra (who died at birth), Rovella, and Onedia. As a Stay At Home Mom, Christine was active with the local PTA and her family church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Christine was also Room Mother for each of her children and assisted with projects at their schools. Additionally, Christine honed her baking skills and became known for her buttery dinner rolls; but, it was her cherry cobbler that took the prize at baking contest, earning Christine $100. She was so very proud.

In 1958, Christine started doing all day work for a local grocery store owner cleaning his home once a week. She was also asked by one of the teachers to do a day work at her home. These were just temporary positions. Seeing her desire to work outside the home, Jack, Christine's husband offered to pay for her to go to school and refresh her office skills.

From 1958 - 1959, Christine enrolled at Franklin University and refreshed her typing and office skills. The following year 1960-1969, Christine secured a position as a clerk at the Fort Hayes Army Corps. When the job terminated in 1969, she applied and received a position at the Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC) in the printing and reproduction department.

After working at DCSC for 13 years, in 1982 Christine retired. She continued being involved in her community by working with her local Block Watch and the Deshler Civic Association. Christine also continued teaching Sunday School, ushering, taking part in the senior choir and singing in the Simultaneous Revival of Columbus at Love Zion Baptist Church.

In 1981-1982 Christine became a member of the Gospel Lighthouse Church to support the new pastor, her nephew, Reverend Jerry Fryar and has been active ever since. After 65 combined years, she retired from teaching Sunday School at the Gospel Lighthouse Church.

Although she got her drivers license in her fourties, Christine continued to drive until she was 98. She made her rounds picking up people going to church or to the Beatty Center to sew. Christine's license would later expire on her 100th, birthday.

Christine is everyone's aunt, grandmother, and friend. She never met a stranger. Until the recent unexpected closure, Christine served at the Gospel Lighthouse church as a greeter and worked in their food pantry once a month.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband; Onzelow Jack Watson, Sr.; siblings, Estelle Witten, Hazel Eley, Berford Gammon, Joseph Gammon, Herman Gammon, Mamie Leech, Channie Miller; children, Sandra Jean Watson, Onedia Darlene Watson, Onzelow Jack "Jackie" Watson, Jr.; grandson, Samuel Aaron Watson.

Surviving family includes children, Samuel "Sam" (Cheryl) Watson and Rovella A. Watson; granddaughter, Martreece Watson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 8th, 2024 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm with a Funeral Service immediately following at Gospel Lighthouse, 600 Frebis Ave, Columbus - OH 43206. Interment will be held at Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.

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