Dec. 8, 1938 – Aug. 11, 2013

NATCHEZ — A Mass of Christian Burial for Daisy Minette Watson, 74, of Natchez, who died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, at Natchez Regional Medical Center after a lengthy illness, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Miss Watson was born Dec. 8, 1938, in Natchez, the daughter of John Pelham Watson and Velma Elizabeth Mason Watson.

An active member of St. Mary Basilica, she served on the committee helping parishioners during times of illness and loss; she was a faithful member o the Friday morning “Bulletin Ladies” and also assumed the responsibility of closing the church Monday evenings following Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Miss Watson was a 1956 graduate of Natchez High School. Staying in Natchez to work, Daisy maintained a number of her high school friendships. She was employed by American Finance for more than 20 years. Before a final decision to retire, she worked for Kelly’s Kids and Fruit of the Loom.

Miss Watson was a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club and was active for a number of years during the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage assisting the Middleton School of Dance in their presentation of “The Soiree.” Working with young men dancing as cadets, she was loved and known as “Aunt Daisy.” In return, she called the young men “her boys” and was deeply interested in all aspects of their lives.

Miss Watson was preceded death by her parents; one half-brother, William Pelham Watson; and close family relatives, Blasé Patrick Gaude, Allie Minette and Tom Middleton.

Survivors include two aunts, Louise Mason, Carlene Mason; two nephews, Michael Watson and wife, Dianne, and Lee Watson and wife, Amy; one niece, Carol Wise and husband, Craig; a number of cousins including Roseminette Gaude and husband, Ron, Tommy Middleton and wife, Carolyn, David and Ann Gaude, Lance and Tracy Gaude, Patricia Gaude, Kurt and Danielle Gaude, Chere and Roy Johnson, Lacy and David Vickers, Candy and Stephen O’Neal, John Middleton, Mary Margaret Marchioni, Duke and Angel Middleton, Blasé Edward Gaude, Brent Gaude, Allie Gaude, Olivia Gaude, Lance Gaude Jr., Gray Gaude, Ian Gaude, Benjamin Johnson, Nathan Gaude, Alice Duke, Joyce Oliver, Norma Laird, Kathy Shields, Diare Hinson, Sam Mason, Stuart Mason, Barbara Taylor, Farris Knudson and Jeanne Hulse.

Pallbearers will be David Gaude, Lance Gaude, Stuart Mason, Blasé Gaude, Brent Gaude and Brian Taylor.

Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Scarborough, Avery Middleton, Cavin Skidmore, Semmes White and Rudy Lazarus.

The family expresses deep appreciation to each doctor who attended to Daisy during her illness. The care given by everyone affiliated with the Intensive Care Unit was with the utmost compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to Family Life Center of St. Mary Basilica or to Cathedral School.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.