Annie Ruth Watson

Annie Ruth Ryder Watson, 89, of Church Road, Virginia, passed away on July 7, 2022 at her home. She was born June 18, 1933 in Littleton, Warren County, North Carolina, as the youngest of six children. Her parents were Frank Ritner Ryder and Lucy Alston Ryder. Annie Ruth was a good student and basketball player as she grew up; she loved the farm and had a special affection for animals both big (horses) and small. She married James "Jimmy" Watson on August 13, 1960 at Monumental Baptist Church, and soon settled in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Annie Ruth and Jimmy Watson were always involved in local church ministry including bus ministry, children's work and the nursery, and she became a constant presence in the kitchen. They raised two daughters, Angela Raye and Robin Elaine, providing for a Christian education and college training, often at great personal sacrifice. They found a church home at Grace Baptist Church in the mid-1980s, and Annie Ruth faithfully attended and served the Lord there for the next 36 years, even after the passing of her beloved husband in 2001.
She was greatly loved by her daughters and sons-in-law, Angela and Chip Hansen, and Robin and Joseph Sedivy; as well as by her grandchildren, David (Ashley), Jayme (Matt), Ryder (Shelbie), Dakota (Karissa), Austin (Hope), Cameron (Alyssa), Ryan (Sadie); and great-grandchildren, Landon, Adalyn, Madison, Kabry, Kasydee, Paislee, Lyla, Princeton, Maverick and Shane. Her church family was always specially treasured by Annie Ruth, and she quietly impacted the lives of countless children, young people, and adults over many decades of local church service and ministry. Even in her later years, she often demonstrated her appreciation and enjoyment of good preaching, good music and cherished fellowship at church.
The family will receive visitors at Grace Baptist Church, 23814 River Road, North Dinwiddie, VA, on Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 6:00-8:00pm and host a celebration of life service, conducted by Pastor Raleigh Nunnally at the same location on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Grace Baptist Church Missions Fund for the continued furtherance of the gospel around the world. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .