Joanne Virginia Donohue Watson, age 85, passed away Friday, February 17, 2012 at Stonehenge Assisted Living in Blairsville, GA. Joanne has resided in Blairsville, for the past five years. Born in Petaluma, California on November 26, 1926 the daughter of the late Emmett Ignatius Donohue and Doris Rockwell. She was preceded in death by her husband John Rollin Watson, Jr. (1995) and her son John Rollin Watson III (1999). She was a recent member of the First Baptist Church of Blairsville while there she was active in Faith Sunday School Class, and the Beacon Mission Team and she had a heart for missions.

Before coming to Blairsville Joanne lived 47 years in Northern Virginia (Great Falls and Herndon) She was an active member of the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean VA where she served as an elder; a deacon; and chair of the mission committee where she oversaw the relocation and settlement of a refugee family with five children from Laos, worked in the Clothing Closet, active in Christmas in April (was one of the best painters on the team), made communion bread, was a storyteller and acted in many of the church sponsored plays.

Before coming to Northern Virginia Joanne traveled the four corners of the world with her husband. Living in Alaska (before it was a state), Cambodia (before the wars), Costa Rica. She was raised in California living in many cities up and down the west coast, some including San Francisco, Carmel, San Diego, Montrey and Pasadena. Her love for the ocean and beach were known by all.

Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law Janice and Charles Coon of Bluemont, Virginia; daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Mike Baldwin of Blairsville, Virginia; and son and daughter-in-law William and Virginia Watson of Little Washington, Virginia; grandchildren Jason Watson (New York, NY); Captain Christopher Baldwin (US Army) and wife Erika; Sarah Steel (Herndon, VA); Timothy Baldwin (Palm Beach Gardens, FL); Kelly Steel (Sterling, VA); and two great grandsons Marcello and Javier Watson. Survived by her brother Emmett Donohue (Dolores, CO) Fredrick Martin Donohue (Melbourne, Florida) and numerous much-loved nieces and nephews around the world.

Services will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., with Dr. Fred Lodge officiating, at The Rock Chapel of First Baptist Church of Blairsville, 290 Blue Ridge Street in Blairsville, GA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Beacon Mission Team at the First Baptist Church of Blairsville, P.O. Box 2054, Blairsville, Georgia 30514.