Mrs. Mary Leota Watson, age 92, of McMinnville, TN passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026 with her son and daughter by her side. She was born on September 26, 1933 to parents Bobby Clifford Holder and Fannie Elizabeth Dunn Holder. She had great faith in her Lord and Savior, was a member of McMinnville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and attended other local congregations at times. She enjoyed serving the church as the music and choir director as well as having an active role in the CPW.  Leota had a unique and often silly humorous personality and bubbly laughter. She enjoyed telling and laughing at her own jokes while trying to get her children to laugh along with her.

Survivors include her children Michael (Janet) Watson and Lorie (Jimmy) Reedy, grandchildren Riley Nicole (Brock) Dotson, Zeke (Heather) Reedy, Rush Reedy, and Briar Reedy (Lindsey Smith), and great grandchildren Lilly Dotson, Lucas Dotson, Ivy Reedy, River Reedy, Kambree Merritt and her mother Tia, Gus Reedy, Walker Reedy and their mother Samantha, Brylan Herriman, Willow Reedy, July Herriman and their mother Bailey, Jordan Goodman, and Karsyn Goodman. Mrs. Watson is preceded in death by her parents, husband Rev. David Ezekiel Watson, son Kevin Leigh Watson, brother Bobby Allen Holder, and sister Melba Decker.

Funeral service for Mrs. Leota Watson is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Friday, April 17, 2026 in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Greg Bowen will officiate. Interment will follow at Blues Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and again on Friday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 2:00 P.M. at McMinnville Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com

McMinnville Funeral Home is honored to be of service to the family of Mrs. Mary Leota Watson.