Shirley Jean Paulk Watson, 82, of Chula passed away Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Rehabilitation Center of South Georgia in Tifton. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Steven Hendricks officiating. Mrs. Watson will be laid to rest at Hickory Springs Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Tifton. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Michael Watson, Randy Horton, Roy Ferrell, Ken Peters, James Reeves, and William Walters will serve as pallbearers. Leon Walters will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Born September 8, 1943, in Tifton, Mrs. Watson was the daughter of the late Wiley Paulk and Era Mae King Paulk. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Voyd Eugene Watson; one sister, Linda Harris; and one grandchild, Hunter Watson. She loved her family and spending time with them. She was a homemaker, who enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. She was a member of Inaha Baptist Church.
Left behind to cherish Mrs. Watson’s memory are three sons, Michael Watson of Sycamore, Blakely Watson of Chula and Wesley Watson and his fiancé’, Michele Ivey of Covington; four grandchildren, Austin Watson, Melissa Watson, Nikki Harrison, and Jimbo Watson; and four great-grandchildren, Liam Ethridge, Ashley Ethridge and Lainey Grace Saint.