Carmela Tawana Watson Obituary in Gastonia at Costner Funeral Home

Obituary For Carmela Tawana Watson

Carmela Tawana Watson, affectionately known as Millie was born on January 13, 1967, to Carolyn M. White and James T. Watson in Washington, DC. She transitioned to her final resting place on January 24, 2022. Carmela was educated in the Washington, DC Public School System and graduated from Dunbar Senior High School in 1985. Upon graduation she joined the United States Army where she would go on to serve her country for twenty years, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class.

While in the Army, Carmela traveled to many places, met a lot of people that would become like family and accomplished many things. One of her accomplishments that she was most proud of was being a mother to her three children: Shenae, Andrea and Nicholas. In 2001, Carmela obtained a bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University in Business Administration and in 2005 she obtained a master’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University. Carmela also loved to travel to new places with her friends and family.

After her retirement from the US Army in 2007, Carmela moved to Cornelius, NC where she would begin her next career as a teacher at Hunter Huss High School. Carmela, also known as Ms. Watson, would go on to teach Business Law, Principles of Business, Career Management and Entrepreneurship I for the next fifteen years. Carmela had a love for education and children and was all about giving back and helping those in need. During her free time, Carmela volunteered as the Step Team, JV Cheerleading and Dance Team Coach. She also helped to plan and organize several senior class trips. The love she had for her students was like no other, she believed in them and only wanted what was best for them.

At the time of her passing Carmela was in school working to obtain a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) with a dissertation topic of Entrepreneurship and Poverty from Saint Leo University. She was also the grandmother of six grandchildren whom she loved to travel and spend time with.

Carmela was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Julius J. Miller and Mary J. Miller, her paternal grandparents, John Watson and Emma Watson, her brother Calvin Jones, her aunts Annie Mae Miller, Margaret Ann Dockery and Julia A. Miller, her uncle James “Bo” Miller, her niece Shamika Smith and close friends, Theresa Reed and Trina Miller. She leaves to cherish her memory her parents, Carolyn M. White (Eugene) and James T. Watson; three children, Shenae Watson, Andrea Smith and Nicholas Watson (Sarah); six grandchildren, Cameron Johnson, Vanessa Watson, McKenzie Martin, Xavier Watson, Bailee Smith and Zorrah Watson; three sisters, Cheryl Watson, Mary Nicholson and Jasmine Wilkins and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, relatives and friend

Funeral Arrangements Are As Follow:

Place: Hunter Huss High School, 1518 Edgefield Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28052

Date & Time: Saturday, February 5, 2022 @ 11:00 A.M.

Burial: Gaston Memorial Park, 1200 S New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054

Visitation: At the school on Saturday from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M.

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Condolences & Tributes

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Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Valmay & Camille Allen

Good Night Dr. Carmela Watson, may your kind and gentle soul continue to rest in peace, and may the good Lord grant your entire family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. Isaac Amadasun (DBA Cohort 15)

I wish I had kept in better touch. I love you and you will be sorely missed. Give hugs and kisses to my Mom for me.

Prayers of comfort and strength
The Stephens Family

Prayers of love, comfort, and strength during this difficult time
The Stephens Family🙏

We will miss you cousin!

thanks Ms Watson, love you forever more .

Dearest Shenae, I pray that God overwhelms you and your family with PEACE and LOVE during this difficult time. It was a joy to meet your mother and observe her love and commitment to family. Equally, hearing about her dedication to not only family members, but to non-family members as well, was a show of her devotion to many. Thank you for sharing her and allowing me to have you as one of my family members. My prayers and deepest sympathy. May God's blessing be with you forever. Alice Scales Pittsburgh, PA

My prayers and condolences to the family during this difficult time. Ms. Watson will truly be missed.
Mia Warren

I am so blessed to have known you during the doctoral journey. You inspired the "A" to do their best. We salute you Dr. Watson!!!! Regina

We are sending our love and condolences. We hope that each memory can help heal your hearts. ❤ The Naugles Family

Sending prayers and love to Family

Your daughter lights up any time she speaks about you. You will be greatly missed. Deepest and sincerest condolences to your family.

My prayers and condolences to the family.
Raymona Harris

It's few teachers that I felt cared about me or my well-being and you were definitely one of the few. Rest easy and hopefully I'll be joining you up there one day.

Ms. Watson you will be missed, I'm really grateful to have met you. You was the first person I ever looked up to as a second mother. I was upset about going to JROTC summer camp but I'm glad a went because that's where I met you, you were a wonderful women and treated me as your own. You will truly be missed. I love you Ms. Watson!!!! Love Akiba!

Everyone has done it, but only a few have perfected it. Ms. Carmela chose to live life in her own way and move into a class all of her own. Words cannot express the loss of a great character. Thank you for inspiring so many for the next generation. Your legacy will last for so many lifetimes... 🙏🏾🙏🏾 - Robert

Everyone has done it, but only a few have perfected it. Ms. Carmela chose to live life in her own way and move into a class all of her own. Words cannot express the loss of a great character. Thank you for inspiring so many for the next generation. Your legacy will last for so many lifetimes... 🙏🏾🙏🏾

A teacher who strived for lifelong learning and exemplified love, caring, and sharing along the way is a tremendous loss for humanity!!!

My favorite mentor, truest hero, and funniest teacher. Carmela Watson you were everything a teacher is supposed to be and more, im so thankful to have been lucky enough to have our paths cross. Thank you!

Thank you God for my sister and friend Carmela Watson. Thank you for the beautiful life she shared with her family and others unselfishly.
Take your rest! Your love and cherished memories will forever be in my heart.
May God continue to strengthen and comfort the family. May His peace rest upon you all
Love you Sis
Pamela Kendrick

Thank you for the guidance and wisdom it was a pleasure to be taught by someone so wonderful prayers for your family you well be truly missed.

My sincerest condolences for Shenae and the family. You all are in my heart and prayers. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Millie you will be greatly missed. ❤ Uncle Nat

I will always remember what you taught me. You Were such a phenomenal woman and I'm glad to have known you as long as I did. You are truly missed and will forever be missed. I love you Mrs.Watson RIH -Aariel A

She will be missed

Sending prayers and love to you and your family.

Carmela,
You will be truly missed!! We will continue to honor you by being authentic in everything we do!!! Thank you for sharing you with us!!
Always, Krystal Hughes

You are sorely missed but we will take it one day at a time and make sure we do right by the babies and teach them all about who their Granny is! Your legacy will live on.