Jan. 22, 1936 – Sept. 16, 2019

ST. JOSEPH, Louisiana — A memorial service for Allein Harkey Watson, 83, of St. Joseph, who died peacefully in her sleep Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in St. Joseph, will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Christ Episcopal Church in St. Joseph, with the Rev. Gregg Riley and the Rev. Sam Godfrey officiating.  
There will be a private family burial prior to the service.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Thursday at the church in the Parish House and at Allein’s home immediately following the service.
Allein Harkey Watson was born Jan. 22, 1936, the daughter of Haynes Louis Harkey Sr. and Allein Wood Harkey and grew up in Lake Providence, Louisiana.
She graduated as salutatorian of the Lake Providence High School class of 1954 and went on to attend Louisiana State University where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority.  Allein graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and returned to teach in northeast Louisiana before she met and married Philip Brooks Watson Jr. in June 1958.
Allein spent the next 61 years as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and active member of the community.  Her faithful service to the Shepherd’s Center, St. Joseph Farmer’s Market, Garden Club, St. Joseph Orchestra, and Lake Bruin Golf and Country Club exemplified her commitment to her community.  She was also a long-time member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she served on the vestry and meticulously curated many beautiful alter arrangements.
Allein enjoyed traveling with her husband of nearly 60 years, until his death in 2018.  Her fondness for gatherings of friends and family made her a consummate hostess who will be remembered for her gracious manner, sense of style, and quick wit. Her genteel manner did not curb her enthusiasm for watching her sons and their children compete in athletic events throughout the years.  Whether cheering them on in peewee or Division I sports, she was a dedicated fan who relished the competition but loved the competitors.
Mrs. Watson was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Haynes Louis Harkey Jr. and Thomas Gilbert Harkey Sr.; and sister-in-law, Barbara Harkey.
Survivors include three sons, Benjamin Maddox Watson and wife, Linda, of St. Joseph, William Brooks Watson Sr. and wife, Karen, of Monroe, Louisiana, and Scott Harkey Watson and wife, Mary Lynn, of Tallulah, Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Anna Kate Tonore and husband, Michael, Allie Elizabeth Watson and fiancé, Jonathan Doucet, William Brooks Watson Jr., William Parks Watson, Elizabeth Claire Watson, Elizabeth Lee Watson and Philip Newell Watson; one great-granddaughter, Emory Wade Tonore; three nieces, Virginia Harkey Youngblood and husband, Gerald, of Austin, Texas, Shelia Harkey of Shreveport, Louisiana and Rebecca Watson Vizard and husband, Michael, of St. Joseph; three nephews, Haynes Louis Harkey III and wife, Alison, of Ridgeland, Thomas Gilbert Harkey Jr. and wife, Sherry, of Shreveport and Matthew Faulk Harkey and wife, Robin, of Ridgeland; sister-in-law, Peggy Harkey of Shreveport; and special friend, Jessie Campbell of St. Joseph; and a number of great-nephews and great-nieces.
Pallbearers will be William Brooks Watson Jr., William Parks Watson, H.T. Goldman III, Frank R. Burnside Jr., M. Sterling Blanche, William A. Guthrie Jr. and Michael D. Thompson.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 256, St. Joseph, LA 71366 or Tensas Academy, P.O. Box 555, St. Joseph, LA 71366.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at youngsfh.com.