Nita Jean Watson, 83, passed peacefully from this life surrounded by her adoring family on December 19, 2016, after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was born on February 25, 1933 in St. Louis, MO, where she attended Southwest High School, and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1953 with a BSBA with a specialty in retailing. She joined Gulf Mobile and Ohio Railroad as a hostess traveling from St. Louis to Chicago and Mobile, AL and later worked as a hostess aboard the famed California Zephyr, traveling between her home of Chicago and Oakland.
While working as a Zephyrette, a business traveler named Burl Watson met and courted Nita. They were married in San Francisco on October 4, 1956 where they lived briefly before moving to Seattle(where it rained every day). In 1957, they moved to Bartlesville, OK, where Nita became a homemaker and mother of two and became accustomed to 3' tall jack rabbits while Burl worked for Cities Service. She also volunteered at St. John Hospital.
The family moved several times with Cities Service, first to Tulsa in 1964 where they were founding members of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian. Four years after the family expanded with the birth of their third child, they spent the summer of 1970 in Amsterdam before moving to New Jersey. In 1974, they moved back to Tulsa, where Nita volunteered at Philbrook Museum at the front desk and gift shop for many years.
Nita and Burl traveled the world extensively in their retirement years, and especially enjoyed their many adventures abroad with Burl's wonderful sister Angie. Nita loved spending time with her 6 grandchildren and was thrilled to gain a 7th grandchild and one great-grandchild just two years ago. Her grandchildren were especially entertained by Nita's unique sense of humor. Nita elevated shopping to an art form and will be missed by the people at Saks. She was a supporter of the arts including Tulsa Opera, Chamber Music Tulsa, Philbrook, Gilcrease Museum, and Tulsa Ballet and was a member of Southern Hills Country Club and The Summit.
Nita was predeceased by Burl, her loving husband of 57 years, and her parents Bernema and Harry Burnett. Mourning her loss are her children Sarah Watson, Emily Watson Hillsman(Thomas), and Byron Watson(Amy). Nita is also survived by her sister Marian Anderson of Frederick, MD and sister-in-law, Angie D'Albora of Warwick, RI, her grandchildren Lyndsay Morgan, Tom Watson(Julie), Andrew Watson, Amanda Watson, Emitom Hillsman, Angela Hillsman, Elliot Watson, and great-granddaughter Louisa Watson.
Many thanks to Rev. Wayne Hardy for his friendship and support, oncologist Dr. Vicki Baker and to Nita's wonderful caregivers including those at Grace Hospice. A memorial service to celebrate Nita's life will be held on Friday, December 23 at 10 am, Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian, 4102 E. 61st Street. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian ( www.thekirk.com < http://www.thekirk.com >), Tulsa Community Foundation (Burl and Nita Watson Fund) at 7030 S. Yale, Ste 600, Tulsa 74136 or Southwestern Medical Foundation (3963 Maple Ave., Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75219) for Simmons Cancer Center breast cancer research.
Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com