Linda Arlene (Hanna) Watson

Linda Arlene (Hanna) Watson, the tenth child of ten, born to Elder Carl Greene and Mother Katie (Logan) Hanna, was born August 16, 1938 in Dodge City, Kansas. They resided at 1110 Military Avenue, across the street from the Ford County Jail. Her parents and her siblings affectionately called Linda “Honey.” Elder and Mother Hanna were both early pioneers of the Church of God in Christ having moved from Mississippi to Wichita, KS in 1920. Later, they followed the directive of Bishop Charles Pleas to leave their home and secular jobs in Wichita and move West to work in ministry there.

Linda attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Dodge City and graduated in 1956. Linda was active in her high school, where she played the violin in the orchestra; participated in the Future Homemakers of America, the Kayettes, and Girls’ Pep Clubs; and played sports, even receiving two varsity letters.

After high school, Linda moved to Denver, CO to attend business school and to join her sister Mary and many cousins who had preceded her there. However, after about a year, she became homesick and moved back to Dodge City. Linda then attended and graduated from Dodge City Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree and a certification to be a Licensed Practical Nurse.

After graduation, she moved to Arkansas City, KS, knowing she had a friend in Charlene Jennings who already lived there. Linda then began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Arkansas City Memorial Hospital working the night shift, as it was the only shift available to African Americans at the time. There she met the debonair Charles Edward “Chuck” Watson, also the tenth child of ten. On December 29, 1962, they were married in Dodge City, KS.

On October 6, 1964 at 10:09 a.m., Linda gave birth to their only child and son, Charles Edward “Eddie” Watson, II. Linda continued to work at the hospital for a few years after that until her rambunctious toddler became too much to manage without any sleep. Linda returned to the workforce when Eddie was in 4th grade by taking a job at the local Sears & Roebuck as a Catalogs Sales and Customer Service Representative.

Linda was a lifelong, active member of the Church of God in Christ, as her father was the founding pastor of First Church of God in Christ in Dodge City and later pastored First Church of God in Christ, in Pittsburg, KS. After Linda married Chuck, she became a member of Arkansas City Church of God in Christ, 611 N. 6th Street, now known as St. James Church of God in Christ. She served there in many capacities: Sunday School Teacher, Youth Department Chairlady, Sunshine Band Leader, Women’s Day Coordinator, and, finally, member of the Mother’s Board.

In 2012, Bishop J.C. Gilkey, Sr. appointed her son Eddie as the Pastor of St. James Church of God in Christ. Both she and Pastor Eddie had to get used to this new relational dynamic. She was no longer just his mother, and he was both her pastor and her son. Linda loved her family. Every Sunday, and most Wednesdays while she was able, Linda would cook for Eddie, Gidget and the kids, as they traveled from their home in Wichita to minister to the saints in Arkansas City. That was her ministry.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Elder Carl G. Hanna and Mother Katie (Logan) Hanna; four sisters: Mother Aquilla J. (Hanna) Calloway, District Missionary Lanie Amanda (Hanna) Kirkland; Mother O. Grace (Hanna) Bullock; and District Missionary Katherine E. (Hanna) Lovelace; four brothers: Scott William David Hanna; Edward David Hanna, Carl G. Hanna, Jr. and Paul Pleas Hanna.

Linda leaves to mourn her husband, Charles, of the Winfield Senior Living Center; her son, C. Edward Watson, II (Gidget) of Wichita, KS; three grandchildren: Micah Ariel, Charlottesville, VA, Hanna Elisabeth, Atlanta, GA and Malachi Charles Seth, New York, NY; one remaining beloved sister Mary C. (Hanna) Robinson, Denver, CO; one sister-in-law, Mother Arceolla (Harvey) Fields, Arkansas City, KS; one special adopted sister Beverly Yeager, Brooklyn Park, MN; the St. James Church Family, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Homegoing Celebration Information

Mother Linda Arlene (Hanna) Watson

August 16, 1938 – May 7, 2024

Homegoing Service to be held at

First Assembly of God

3125 N. Summit, St.

Arkansas City, KS 67005

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. CST

Doors Will Open at 10:00 a.m. CST for viewing

Burial Immediately Following

Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery

1208 N. College St.

Winfield, KS 67156

Charitable Donations

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to: (a) The Kansas African American Museum (TKAAM), mail to 601 N. Water St., Wichita, KS, 67203 (Creative & Visual Arts Projects In Memory of Linda A. (Hanna) Watson) or see link at https://www.tkaamuseum.org/donate or (b) St. James Church of God in Christ, P.O. Box 191, Arkansas City, KS 67005 (Mission Fund for families in need of food assistance); CashApp: $stjamescogicac, or Givelify (St. James Church of God in Christ, 611 N. 6th Street, Arkansas City, KS 67005)