Majoyce Watson

Majoyce (Harris) Watson, age 76, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 14th, 2023 at Saint Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. She was born on February 10th, 1947 in Portsmouth, VA. Majoyce, affectionately known as “Bootsie,” was born to Ethel Dunbar and Albert Harris, the second child of seven. Both of her parents, her brother Albert “Junie” Harris Jr., and her sister Linda Harris preceded her in death. She received her primary education in the Portsmouth-Norfolk area and attended Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk. She attended St. John’s Baptist Church in Portsmouth in her youth.

In 1970, she married Gano Eugene Watson, whom she met while he was stationed in Portsmouth while in the US Navy. At this time, she relocated with him back to his native Kansas City, KS. To this union, there were three children. During her time in Kansas City, she was baptized at First Baptist Church (500 Nebraska Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101), where she served as a deaconess, sang in the choir, and occasionally assisted with the children’s choir. She also ran a daycare from her home, maintaining about six openings at a time, nurturing many children over the years. After her marriage of 25 years was dissolved, she returned to Portsmouth.

Majoyce was a devoted mother. For instance, when her daughters were enrolled in dance lessons, there was a contest that awarded free lessons to the students that sold the most recital tickets and advertisements for the program. Majoyce worked diligently to sell enough tickets and advertisements so that her daughters won free lessons almost every year that they danced. Majoyce loved spending quality time with her family and friends. When she visited her grandkids in Kansas City each summer, she was there for every graduation, recital, and basketball game.  She also loved cooking, dancing, and traveling. Although she could do it all, lasagna, brisket, collard greens, and chicken and dumplings were her specialties. She had a witty sense of humor and was the life of the party. In her later years, when asked how she was doing, she would always respond with her famous line, “I’m kickin’, but not high!” Majoyce’s tenacious spirit remained strong even during tough times. She provided those who she cared for with an abundance of love and security. Her presence and laughter will be truly missed.

She leaves to cherish her memory one son: Frank Watson (Lisa), Enid, OK; two daughters: Tracie McConnell (Christopher Sr), Kansas City, KS; and Rosetta Watson (Eddie Sr), Kansas City, KS; eight grandchildren: Michael, Charles (Jahlissa), Auriana, Davon, Christopher Jr., Tamara, Bre’Ayna, and Eddie Jr; five great-grandchildren: TeYannah, Charley, Deriae, June, and Damiel Jr; one sister: Ethel Marie Reid, Las Vegas, NV; three brothers: James Douglas Harris (Myra), Chattanooga, TN; Freddie Harris, Orlando, FL; and Ricky Harris (Avis), Portsmouth, VA; two aunts: Dorothy Dunbar, Portsmouth, VA, and Christine Dunbar, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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