Obituary of Ardith Grace (Leiber) Watson

Ardith Grace (Leiber) Watson, age 83 of Camdenton, Missouri, passed into the arms of her Heavenly Father Friday, June 23, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield after battling illness for over 2 years.

 Ardith was born September 6, 1933 in Gerster, Missouri at her home, the daughter of Willie and Eva (Wilkerson) Leiber. She graduated from Weaubleau High School. She worked for Western Union Telegraph Company, where she met Paul J. Watson. They married on November 18, 1956 in Weaubleau. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in November 2016. She “retired” from Western Union to be a devoted mother for her two children. She lived in Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; and Blue Springs, Missouri (where she worked as an Admitting Clerk at St. Mary’s Hospital). In 1992, she retired to rural Camdenton and worked as a volunteer for many years at Mercy Hospital in Lebanon.

 Ardith loved quilting, gardening, canning, cooking, and dogs. Her pecan pies were the best! She loved to spoil her grandchildren. Her goal was to read through the entire Bible once every year and was a faithful member at First Baptist Church in Camdenton.

 Ardith is survived by her husband Paul; son Mike and Janna Watson of Columbia, Missouri; daughter Robin and Tom Wheeler of Clinton, Missouri; six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents Willie and Eva; brothers Ivan Leiber and Sonny Leiber, and sister Dean Baldwin.

 Visitation will be at First Baptist Church at 12:00 on June 27. Funeral service will be at 1:00, followed by interment at Butcher-Fairview Cemetery, near Gerster.