Debra Jane Watson

Debra Jane Watson, age 60, of Sylva lost a three year battle with cancer on Monday, January 4, 2016 at Homestead Hospice of Clyde, NC. A lifelong resident of Jackson County, Debra was born December 28, 1955. She is the daughter of Arnold Edwin and Arilla (McMahan) Jones. She was predeceased by a son, Travis Dale Watson. Debra worked as a much beloved secretary at Smoky Mountain High School. She enjoyed crafts, softball games, spending time with her grandchildren, and loved spending time with the students she worked with. She was a member of the Old Savannah Baptist Church. She is survived by her parents, Arnold Edwin and Arilla Jones; her husband of 42 years, Alfred Watson; a daughter, Michelle Watson (Keith) Dillard; three grandchildren, Lindsey Paige Ballew, Clayton Alan Ballew, and Fenja Iversen of Germany; a brother, David A. (Tracy) Jones; a nephew, Russell Jones; and a sister, Derinda and Kevin Morgan. The funeral will be held 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 7 at Old Savannah Baptist Church, 138 Sutton Branch Road, Sylva, NC with Rev. Mark Bishop and Rev. Gabe Southards officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 6 from 6 until 8 pm at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 120 Executive Park, Building 1, Asheville, NC 28801. .