Margaret Elizabeth Watson Reynolds

Margaret Elizabeth Watson Reynolds passed away February 07, 2008 with her family by her side at the Pope County Care Center in Golconda, IL. She was born on February 10th, 1914 to W.S. Watson and Estelle Tanner Watson in Golconda, IL. Her parents, an infant brother and two adult brothers William S. and Edward C. Watson preceded her in death. She graduated from Pope County High School in Golconda and attended Southern Illinois Normal College where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. She received a teaching certificate and began teaching fifth grade in Golconda, IL. On February 16, 1935 she married then Johnson County States Attorney C. Ross Reynolds. He was elected 1st Judicial Circuit Judge in 1945 and served until his retirement in 1970. He was also appointed third district appellate judge by the Illinois Supreme Court. For fourteen years he served concurrently in the two roles. He passed away in 1986. They had two daughters, Mary Jane, former Johnson County States Attorney and Nancy Ross who died in infancy. Margaret is survived by her daughter Mary Jane Reynolds Webb, one grandson Ross Reynolds Webb and his wife Eleida and one great grandson Ross Anthony Salazar Webb. Other surviving Watson family members include her sister in law Eva Baker Watson, wife of Edward, nieces Suzanne Watson Traylor, Nancy Watson Talbot and Terry Talbot, and Caroline Pederson and Pete Pederson, great nephews Peter Pederson, Aaron Pederson and Cindy Pederson and great grand nephew Byron Pederson. She is also survived by step daughter Virginia Ann Reynolds Merrilees step granddaughter Jenny Jo Merrilees Burt and Brent Burt, step grandson Robert Merrilees and step great grandchildren Heather and Rebecca Burt, and Henry, Christen, and Thomas Merrilees. Margaret began her church service by teaching Sunday school in Golconda until she married. In 1935 she became a member of the 1st Methodist church in Vienna where she served as a Sunday school teacher, superintendent of the bible school, member of the board of trustees and member of White Shrine. She is fondly remembered by the generations of Vienna children who attended her Sunday school. As an active member of the community she served as president of the Vienna Womenƒ?Ts Club, Quadri County Health Department and Vienna Home Builders. She was also past Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. While her husband was president of the Drovers State Bank, Margaret initiated the bankƒ?Ts Christmas breakfasts which were popular not only with local residents but attended by many from across the Southern Illinois area. As her husband ran for election on the Republican ticket Margaret became active in Republican politics. She started by forming the first Republican womenƒ?Ts clubs in several Southern Illinois counties including Johnson and Massac. She was Treasurer, 4th and 3rd vice president of the Illinois Federation of Republican Women. She served as a member at large of the IFRW for 2 years and was the Southern Illinois Coordinator for five years. Margaret was president of the Johnson County Republican Womenƒ?Ts Club for many years and hosted fundraisers both political and charitable. Her fundraisers were very successful and attended by persons of note on both the state and national level. Margaret was a friend to Illinois governors Stratton, Thompson, and Edgar and has personally met presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan and both Bushes. She met with President Reagan in the Oval Office and had tea with Nancy Reagan in the White House. When President Reagan died she was interviewed by local TV news stations CBS and NBC. She attended George W. Bushƒ?Ts inauguration and ball and was a delegate to the 1992 Republican convention in Houston. At that time she was interviewed by Ted Koppel for the ABC news show Nightline. A crowning event for all her activities was her appointment by Governor Edgar to the Lincoln Academy Board of Trustees where she served for several years. She was a friend to all she met and dedicated her life to helping all who called upon her. She will be sadly missed by family and all the people whose lives sheƒ?Ts touched. Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 2 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, Illinois. A private entombment will be in the IOOF Cemetery in Golconda, Illinois at a later date. Rev. Lance Leeds will officiate. Eulogy provided by Kenneth Carter. Friends may call from 4 PM ƒ?" 8 PM Saturday at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, Illinois. Memorials are suggested to the Massac Memorial Hospital, 28 Chick Street, Metropolis, Illinois 62960 or the Pope County Ambulance Service, PO Box 575, Golconda, Illinois 62938.

Margaret Elizabeth Watson Reynolds

February 10, 2008 - February 7, 2008