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Mara Louise (Linaberger) Watson, 90, of Wellsburg, West Virginia, died on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Norfolk, Virginia. Mara was born on May 24, 1936, in Stahlstown, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Reverend Walter Albert Linaberger and Jessie Rebecca "Becky" (Lytle) Linaberger.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William Edward Watson, granddaughter Ava Grace Neumann, brothers Lt. Colonel Charles A. Linaberger and James T. Linaberger, sisters-in-law Elsa Linaberger and Sandra Linaberger, and niece Anne Linaberger. She is survived by her children, Lynn Watson Neumann and Edward Allen Watson (Sandra), her granddaughter, Audrey Ellen Neumann, nieces Mara Linaberger (Michael Haynie) and Elizabeth Linaberger (Brian Best), and nephew-in-law Thomas Mazula (husband of the late Anne Linaberger).
Mara graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1954. She briefly attended Geneva College before matriculating at West Virginia Wesleyan College where she met her future husband, Bill. They graduated together in 1958. Later that year, her father married them in the Wellsburg United Methodist Church where he served as minister. They then moved to Washington, D.C., where Mara worked for the Fulbright Scholarship Program as part of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Bill attended law school. Many wonderful memories were made during their adventures in Washington.
Upon returning to Wellsburg, Mara lived a life of service to her family, church, alma mater, and community. As a devoted West Virginia Wesleyan alumna, she served on the board of trustees from 2005-2009, was the president of the Emeritus Club, and was a member of the alumni council. Mara was awarded the Alumni Service & Achievement Award in 1999. Believing in the power of learning, she and Bill endowed numerous scholarships to assist future generations in pursuing higher education. A political progressive, Mara was repeatedly selected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. She served on the DNC's platform committee in 1980 and devoted her time and talent to many important elections, both local and national. A member of the Wellsburg United Methodist Church since 1955, she served in several capacities, including the pastor/parish relations committee, youth group leader, and devoted gardener. She represented her church at annual conferences and numerous World Methodist conferences. Quietly leading by example, she belonged to P.E.O., an organization which awards scholarships to women known to its members as "the sisterhood", led Girl Scout troops, teaching girls to become strong leaders, and served on the Wellsburg Planning Commission, preserving historic structures in the town. Her childhood church camp retreat, Jumonville, benefited from her support and devotion throughout the years as a board member and Director Emeritus. Through all of this, she remained dedicated to her family, offering patience and unconditional love.
Mara was an artist using many forms of media. In her later years, she employed pen and ink to sketch scenes around Wellsburg. She also found pleasure in playing the piano, singing in the choir, and playing golf. She loved travel and kept journals of her trips to South Africa, Belgium, Korea, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Hungary, Thailand, India, Nepal, and Tibet. Her curious nature made her wish for even more journeys that would not occur, but her journals served as the next best thing. Of all her accomplishments outside of her children, she might have been most proud of hitting a hole-in-one at Brooke Hills Park.
Family and friends will be received on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 9:30 A.M. until the time of Memorial Service at 11:00 A.M. at the Wellsburg United Methodist Church, 11 th and Charles Streets, Wellsburg, West Virginia 26070 (304) 737-0488.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201; Wellsburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 331, Wellsburg, West Virginia 26070; or Jumonville Camp and Retreat, 887 Jumonville Road, Hopwood, PA 15445.
The family-owned Chambers Funeral Home, Wellsburg, WV (304)737-35514 is honored and privileged to serve the Watson family during this time of loss.
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