Shirley Rose Watson

Shirley Rose Watson, 85, passed away on September 1, 2024, at her home in Golinda, Texas. 

Born on March 3, 1939, in a Waco police car traveling at 75 miles per hour, Shirley was dubbed the “patrol car baby” and was on the front page of the local newspaper. That’s quite an entrance! Shirley was the daughter of Ruby Ward Cromwell and Jesse Cromwell.

Shirley attended South Waco Elementary, North Junior High, and Waco High School. She later attended McLennan Community College where she studied Real Estate. She worked as a Real Estate Agent for many years and owned Lorena Realty in Lorena, Texas for 25 years. She found it very rewarding to help people find and purchase just the right home for themselves and their families.

Before her professional career, Shirley was a young stay-at-home wife and mother to her four children and was dedicated to raising and teaching them about life, nature, and animals. Shirley was known for her love of animals, especially cats, and rescued many including dogs, cats, baby birds, squirrels and rabbits. She had a special way of saving them and releasing them back into the wild, teaching her children about compassion for all creatures. She loved the water and swimming and taught all of her children how to swim at a young age and frequent day trips to Lake Waco were the norm. She had a funny, sarcastic personality and especially loved to make the grandkids and great grandkids laugh and scream with her wild, scary and dramatic storytelling. She will be deeply missed by all.

Shirley is survived by three children: Mark Watson of Waco, Texas, Haila Mahan and husband Mike, of Golinda, Texas, Reesa Allwine and husband Rick, of Wiley Ford, West Virginia; 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, her sister Wilma Wolf of Fairview Heights, Illinois and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Jay Watson, sisters Sandra Cromwell Cole and Colleen Wilson, brothers Jesse Cromwell, JB Cromwell, and Leon Stroud, parents Ruby and Jesse Cromwell, and her daughter in law, Claudette Watson.

Services will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at River City Church in Waco, Texas at 12:00 noon. Casual reception and lunch to follow at the Church.

Mom would love it if any Memorial contributions were made to the Waco Animal Shelter or the ASPCA.