Herdistine Fisher Watley

Herdistine Fisher Watley, 64, of Clifton passed away Friday, January 9, 2015 in Clifton. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Clifton Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2015, at t Clifton Funeral Home in Clifton.

Herdistine Fisher Watley was born July 4, 1950 in Lexington, MS, to parents Christine Wright Fisher and the late Morris Fisher. Herdistine attended school in the then segregated school system in Lexington. She was involved in various activities including basketball and band. She was reared up in the Berean Church of Christ Holiness USA, which is where she accepted Christ at an early age. Herdistine graduated from Lexington Attendance Center in 1968. Shortly after graduation, Herdistine moved and settled in Clifton. She had a love for people and desired a career where she could help people. She attended McLennan Community College in Waco, and graduated nursing school as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in 1979. She worked as a surgical nurse at Goodall-Witcher Hospital for many years before moving into geriatric nursing at Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home, Meridian Manor, and retiring from Clifton Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Herdistine joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Clifton, where she sang in the choir. On April 26, 1983, she married Frederick Watley and together raised her children from a previous marriage. She joined Clifton Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America with her husband. She loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him in any capacity. She served as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, president of the usher board, missionary delegate for the General Assembly of the CPC as well as sang in the choir. She loved her community and worked and supported the Democratic Party as a precinct judge. She also ran for City Council. She enjoyed garage sales with her buddy, Inez Robinson, antiques, shopping, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Herdistine did not know a stranger. She loved to talk and always carried a big smile. She had a heart of gold and cherished every moment on this earth.

She was preceded in death by a son, Jewel Ray Willis; father, Morris Fisher; half-brother, Leonard Crawford; father and mother-in-love, Rev. AB and Amanda Watley; brother-in-love, Anthony Gee; and sisters-in-love, Venita Watley and Delores Watley.

Memories will linger in the hearts of those who loved her: her husband of 31 years, Frederick Watley, of Clifton; children, James Anthony Willis (Kim) of Houston, Shenita Alsbrooks (Tommy) of Mesquite, Beverly Willis of Houston, and Rodney Willis of College Station; mother, Christine Fisher of Lexington, MS; grandchildren, Sharonda Young of Dallas, Nicholas Zaragoza of Valley Mills, Alexis Allen of College Station, AJ Willis and Jasmine Willis of Baytown, Hannah Willis of Houston, Jaela and Journi Fowlks, Tommy Jr, Bremmy, and Taylor Alsbrooks of Mesquite, Ari Byrd of Alexandria, LA, and Jaylen D. Willis of White Settlement; sisters, Geneva Gee of Clifton, Morzell Foster (Lavertis) of Canton, MS, and Ella Benson (Vendell) of Lexington MS; special nephew, Chris Sedberry of Clifton; special cousin, Edwin (Sheila) Wright of Plano; brothers-in-love, James Watley of Clifton, Archie (Geneva) Watley of McGregor, and Raydell (Evelyn) Watley of Clifton; sisters-in-love, Carolyn Watley of Waco and Jewel Thorpe of Clifton; special friends, Inez Robinson of Clifton, Pat Damron of Gatesville, and Peggy Lynch of Valley Mills; and a host of other family and friends.

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