Dates
Janice Gail (Phillips) Watson, formerly of Wichita Falls, Texas, passed away July 3, 2024, at the age of 83 years old in San Angelo, Texas, with her beloved husband and daughters by her side.
Janice was born to Herbert Lee and Neva (Moon) Phillips on October 15, 1940, in Centralia, Illinois. Life is easier when you have a companion, and her sister, best friend and partner in crime, Lana Lee (Phillips) Lewis arrived soon after. Together they tackled life’s challenges that led them to become the head strong, independent and successful women they were. Their childhood wasn’t limited to St. Louis, they also grew up in Wichita Falls.
The spirit of her life is felt in her childhood stories of picking berries and riding Dixie, her favorite horse, during summers spent with Lana and their cousins at the Eisenberg Farm in Taylor, Missouri. Her eyes would sparkle each time she spoke of baseball games with her Daddy and sister, cheering on the Brooklyn Dodgers and her hero, Jackie Robinson. One of her favorite teenage memories from a summer in Wichita Falls was when her friend Gayle and sister Lana talked her into seeing an up-and-coming singer that was playing on the back of a flatbed truck. Janice asked who? The year was 1955 and that young man was Elvis Presley. She and Lana became fans forever. These are just a few of the high-lights of her adventure filled life.
It was in St. Louis, Missouri that Janice met the love of her life, Eddie L. Watson and after a whirlwind courtship they were married July 23, 1958. In 1959, Daughter #1, Vicki C. (Watson) Keck was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Ten years later, Daughter #2, Kheva Renee’ (Watson) Flowers was born in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Like life does, things change and settles down with marriage, parenting, working and developing other interests. She enjoyed studying and documenting her family history. She loved the details of her past and seeing the connections to her present. She had many jobs in her life but found her career later in life. Janice worked for Mike and Diane Shallenberger for nearly 30 years. As executive property manager for Truity Capital, she handled dozens of accounts and an office full of personnel. Mike described her as the most professional and loyal person that he ever had the pleasure of working with. Janice was a human dynamo. She was driven and hard working. She became a part of their family and they loved her dearly as she did them.
Janice was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family fiercely. Her true joy came with the births of her five grandchildren and that joy expanded with the births of her great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Eddie L. Watson, of San Angelo, Texas; her daughters, Vicki Keck of San Angelo, Texas and Kheva Flowers of Austin, Texas. She is survived by her grandchildren Mark Keck, Jr. and wife, Tera, of Boston, Massachusetts; Cassie Garrison and husband, Landon, of San Angelo, Texas; Kinsey Keck, of New York, New York; Tyler Travis of Seguin, Texas and Brady Flowers and wife, Haley, of Holliday, Texas. She is also survived by her great-granchildren, Calin, Drew and Maverick Garrison, Lilah Keck, Tanner and Slone Travis and Jolee and Allie Flowers.
Janice was one of a kind. We will miss her forever. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor to Hospice of San Angelo, 1933 University Avenue, San Angelo, Texas. Her family would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful and compassionate care Janice received.
The family will have a private memorial service to honor Janice's life at a later date.