Biography: Winona Watson was born on November 3, 1934 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to the late Flora Wilson and James Bethea.
 
She married the late Robert W. Watson in 1955. They had one child, Kathleen Watson.
 
Winona obtained her undergraduate degree from Hunter College and a master’s degree from New York University.
 
She was a member of Greater Hood Memorial AME Zion Church for approximately sixty years. During this time, she sang in the Senior Choir of which she was president for 35 years, directed the Youth Choir and served as a trustee.
 
Winona received numerous commendations from Junior High School 189 principals for her exceptional teaching skills. Excellence was demanded of her students.
 
Cheerful, popular and faithful are fit descriptions of Winona. She enjoyed singing, dancing, shopping and travel. Winona was a caring daughter, sister, wife and mother.
 
Winona was a silver soror and life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Tau Omega Chapter. She lovingly served on committees and traveled to conferences.
 
She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Watson of the Bronx, New York, brother, James W. Bethea of West Haven, Connecticut and sister, Juliette Bethea of Washington, D.C. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings: Carolyn Bethea, John Bethea, Eugene Bethea, Barbara Bethea and Handy Bethea.