Linda Gilstrap Obituary

Linda Davis Watson Gilstrap MT. PLEASANT - Linda Davis Watson Gilstrap, 87, died peacefully on July 31, 2009 in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Linda was very proud of her birth date, February 2, 1922. She was the beloved wife of Andrew T. Watson until his death in 1989 and was later the beloved wife of C.H. "Gillie" Gilstrap until his death in 2004. Linda and Andy met at Furman University and married on Dec. 26, 1943 in Briarcliff Manor, NY. While Andy was a flight instructor in Eagle Pass, Texas and Pensacola, Florida; Linda was caring for their first daughter, Sandra, and making lifelong friends as well. Linda and Andy lived in Alexandria, VA for over 30 years where their second daughter, Jessie, was born. Linda was an active member of the Red Cross and Mt. Vernon DAR Chapter. While starting in the banking business, Linda's most rewarding years were as the Director of the Chichester School, a private nursery to second grade school in Alexandria. Linda was always competitive in sports whether swimming in her youth or playing golf and tennis with family and friends at Belle Haven Country Club. While married to Gillie, Linda loved living in Boone, NC and being step-mother to his five children and their large extended family. For three months each year, Gillie and Linda returned to Seabrooke, John's Island, to enjoy beach life and visiting the Watson Family, Gilstrap family and old family friends living in the surrounding Charleston community. Gillie and Linda gave each other a new lease on life, enjoying entertaining friends, attending sports events at Appalachian State University, and playing "pig" or gin rummy. When it became too hard to attend the Appalachian games, Gillie and Linda's enthusiasm for watching sports on television increased over the years until that's where you would find them each weekend for hours on end. Linda will be greatly missed by her daughters, Dr. Sandra Watson and Jessie and her husband, Mike Killeen, her grandchildren, Lauren, Sean and Carolyn and her husband, Bryan Walker, and great-grandchild, Jessie Walker. She was a loving step-mother to Rick Gilstrap and his wife, Joan, and family; Suzy and her husband, Jack Wilks, and family; Ann Pait (deceased) and family,; Jane and her husband, Jon Pierce, and family; and Jack Gilstrap and his wife, Len, and family. Linda's deceased sister, Betty Edwards Williard, whose family includes Stan Edwards and his wife, Karen, and family; Bill Edwards and his wife, Gayle, and family; Tom Edwards and his wife, Dawn, and family; Linda Prehn and her husband, Fred and family; and Polly Edwards. The Watson family includes Hunter and his wife, Shirley and family; Andy and his wife, Holly, and family; Mike and his wife, Julie,and family; Lewis (deceased); Molly and her husband, Steve Hope, and family; and Thomas (deceased). A memorial service will be held at Rodenberg Hall, Franke at Seaside, 1885 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 on Saturday, August 22, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to Reading Is Fundamental (Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 400, Washington, DC 20009 or) to support Linda's love of children and reading. (It provides book ownership to AT RISK children). Arrangements are being made through PALMETTO CREMATION SOCIETY, Charleston, SC. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths