Gentilla Henrietta (Stein) Watson

Gentilla Henrietta Watson, nee Stein, of Cuba, MO, passed away Saturday morning, October 17, 2020 at the age of 99 years, 6 months and 9 days.  She was born on April 8, 1921 in Florissant, MO to Henry Eberhardt Stein and Anna Florence (Fisher) Stein. 

Gentilla lived most of her life in the Cuba area.  She met Benjamin George Watson while she waitressed at Midway and while he was on leave from the Army.  They married on January 18, 1947 at the Holy Cross Church in Cuba, MO and to this union six children were born.   Gentilla had graduated from Cuba High School and then attended nursing school but left that career after a severely burned child was brought in for her to care for while she worked at the doctor's office.  She then was a homemaker until she and George purchased Shaw's Antiques and turned it into, Watson's Old Tyme Shop, until retiring around 1984.

Gentilla loved to quilt and made many quilts for her family and for many causes; such as when the ambulance district was being formed and made one to be raffled off to raise funds for the ambulance.  She also made quilts for cancer organizations and any other that asked her for help.  She did the most beautiful embroidery work and much of that is in some of the quilts that she had made.  Each of their children had a quilt, as did the grandchildren and then the great grandchildren until she couldn't keep up with them!  She made many beautiful items, even pot holders.  Gentilla was very loving and enjoyed helping others.

In the early 1970's, she volunteered for the local school and enjoyed that.  Over the last few years of her husband's life, Ben was in poor health, and she took great care of him.  After he passed, she volunteered again at the local school.  She then, at the age of 73, moved to Florissant with her daughter and family, where she volunteered at St. John's Mercy Hospital in Ladue, MO.  She actually retired at the age of 80 but still kept up with her volunteer work for the auxiliary there.

She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Anna Stein; parents-in-law Clarence and Florence (Beuvais) Watson; husband Benjamin George Watson, Sr.; son Benjamin "Bengi" George Watson, Jr.; infant son Danny Watson; sons-in-law Larry Duncan, Eddie Klein and Jeff Klein; brother Ed (Trudi) Stein; sister Barbara (James) Pinnell; sisters-in-law Martha Stein and Jean (Floyd) Bay; brother-in-law Don (Bee) Watson and great granddaughter Avery Rhaine Pipkins.

She is survived by her children Don (Sue) Wynn of Pilot Knobb, MO, Gensy (Frank) Key of Pinellas Park, FL, Florence Klein of Cuba, MO, Theresa Duncan of New Florence, MO and Cindy (Danny) Wools of Cuba, MO; brother Henry Stein of Tebbetts, MO; 16 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 14 great great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 7, 2021, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.  A Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow at 11:00 AM with Dr. Woodrow Martin officiating.  The family has chosen cremation as her final disposition.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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