Myrtle Ward Watson

Myrtle Ward Watson, 98, of Sutherland, Virginia, went to be with her Savior on April 13, 2026. Born and raised in Chesapeake, VA, she moved to Sutherland in 2007. The final three years of her life were spent in the Petersburg Home for Ladies, where she was lovingly taken care of and spoiled by the staff.

Mrs. Watson is survived by her daughters, Susan Allensworth (George), Elizabeth Smith (Tim), and Laura Ketron (Bryan), and daughter-in-law Teresa Watson and by her seven grandchildren: Bonnie Hale, Angie Walker, Crystal Watson, Robert Jones, Laurel Shishiga, Brandon Ketron and Brianna Ketron. There are also twelve great-grandchildren and three nephews.

Deceased family members include parents, Avery Ward and Lillian Ward Wright; husband William L. Watson; son, William W. Watson; granddaughter, Aimee N. DeBusk; and brother, A. J. Ward.

Myrtle graduated in the top of her class from Hickory High School in Chesapeake, in 1944. She then attended William & Mary in Norfolk, VA. She began her working career with Seaboard Railroad and eventually dedicated over thirty years to the city of Chesapeake. She worked in Social Services, the Real Estate Assessor's office and finished her career as Clerk of the Circuit Court. She had a well-known reputation for her accuracy and thoroughness with lawyers, judges, and other notables relying heavily on her expertise.

Myrtle held memberships in the Eastern Star, United Methodist Women, and the Red Hat Society. Hobbies included needlework, gardening, canning, and her specialty, baking. She maintained dual membership at Ocran United Methodist Church in Sutherland and Good Hope Methodist Church in Chesapeake. Everyone who knew Myrtle Watson knew she loved her family and her church.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday April 20, 2026, at Ocran United Methodist Church, 20221 Cox Road, Sutherland, VA. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will be the following day at Chesapeake Memorial Gardens, 524 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA, at 11:00 a.m.