Jacqueline Eugenia Sivels Watson, 81, of Quincy, a devoted Servant of Christ, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 5, 2018.
Born in Chicago, IL on June 22, 1936, Jacqueline was the eldest child of the late Carl and Cordelia (Parran) Sivels.
Jacqueline (known by Jackye) was class valedictorian at Carbondale High School in Carbondale, IL and had forgone a full college scholarship for teaching, so that she could work and financially assist her parents and her young siblings. She worked for the State of Illinois in Springfield, where she met her late husband, Charles Lee Watson, Sr. The couple moved to Charles’ hometown of Quincy in 1965. Jackye was employed by Motorola until 1979. She then pursued and earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Gem City College and began working at WGEM as an Executive Secretary to the CEO, Dave Oakley, and later at Fletcher’s Day Care Center.
She was a dedicated member of Bethel AME Church, serving in several capacities over the years: A Stewardess, Church Clerk, and in the Sunday School Department, also serving in ministry on the Stewardship, Trustee and Missionary boards. Jackye was known for her baking—especially her famous cinnamon rolls. She enjoyed sharing her bake goods and her gift for cooking with friends, family and her church. She and her sister-in-law, the late Shirley Mae Milsap, were known for providing an array of tasty bake goods, every year, for Bethel’s annual church fundraiser. For the last two years, she was a beloved resident of St. Vincent’s Nursing home.
She is survived by her five children, Faye Watson Mackey of Haverhill, MA; Charles Lee Watson, Jr. (Maria) of Quincy, IL; Rhonda Watson of Quincy, IL; Stephanie Watson Haynes (Lonie) of Pittsburg, PA and Derek Watson (Chantil) of Quincy.
Jackye also leaves her six grandchildren, Charles Lee Watson, III of Quincy, IL; David Mackey of Huntsville, AL; Trevor Watson of Atlanta, GA; Caronda Watson of Quincy, IL; Brittanye Mackey of Haverhill, MA, and Derek Watson of Quincy, IL, five great-grandchildren, Cameron and Khaliyah Smith and Jordan Watson of Quincy, IL; Andre Mackey of Huntsville, AL and Kehlani Davis of Quincy, IL and siblings Ulus Reese, Jr. of Charlotte, NC; Marilyn Webb of Racine, WI; Audrey Hentz of Milwaukee, WI; Karen Renee Gordon of New Orleans, LA; Sylvia Penny, Linda Johnson and William Sivels of Sparta, IL; Debra Vaughn and Keith Sivels of Colp, IL and a host of nieces and nephews.
Granddaughter, Kanesha Watson and siblings, Juanita and Harold Reese, Marva Anderson, Rev. Carl, Rev. Robert, Milton, Fred, Larry, Tyrone and Donald Sivels preceded her in death.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home, 823 Broadway, Quincy, IL. A Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday from 12:00 noon until the time of the services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Bethel A.M.E. Church, 905 Oak St., Quincy, IL 62301. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.