Mrs. Lenora Tolson Watford

It is with deep sorrow that the Watford family announces the death of their beloved mother, Mrs. Lenora Tolson Watford, 88. Mrs. Watford, the widow of Lawrence Wilson Watford, Jr., entered into rest on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The Directors of Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home are caring for the family. A funeral service to honor her life will be held at 12 o'clock pm on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Salem Global Methodist Church, 1817 Salem Rd. Timmonsville, SC. The Rev. Ed Herlong and The Rev. Grace Marie Ward will officiate, with burial to follow in St. Paul Cemetery, 1813 Cartersville Highway, Timmonsville, SC. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to Salem Global Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Sandra Hudson, 1574 Hibiscus Road, Timmonsville, SC 29161, or St. Paul Cemetery Fund, c/o Mr. Watson Tolson, 104 Tolson Road, Lynchburg, SC 29080. Mrs. Watford was born in Florence County, SC, on June 3, 1936. She was the daughter of the late George Edward Tolson and the late Alma Hill Tolson-Waters. She was a devoted member of Salem Global Methodist Church and was their eldest member to date. She loved her Lord, her church, family, and her family with a Christ-like love. She was known for her generous, loving spirit. She never met a stranger; for this, she made everyone feel loved “As her own.” She was a true witness of God‘s love. This was her legacy. One of her greatest passions was to “feed” people. She and Lawrence owned and ran restaurants in the surrounding areas for over 50 years, the most recent being Watford‘s barbecue restaurant in Bishopville, SC. There she found so much joy in connecting with her customers, and delighted in making each one feel welcome and satisfied, she made it her business to give them a big smile, a full belly, and a happy heart. Her nickname was “Cricket” given to her by her father early in life — He sure called that right she was as busy as a cricket bouncing around to make sure everyone had what they needed, both at the home with her family and cooking a huge Southern style “Sunday Dinner” then making sure everyone went home with an extra plate, and in her restaurant business make sure her customers and her staff were taken care of and appreciated. Known as “MeMe” to so many, she took pride in “Scooping you up under her wings” and calling you “hers.” She will be missed by so many, but the legacy of her unending love and sweet spirit lives on, and everyone who knew her. The family would like to extend their thanks to McLeod Hospice and McCoy Nursing Facility for the loving care they provided to our MeMe. She is survived by her son, Lawrence Edward “Eddie” Watford (Kelly) of Lynchburg, SC; daughters, Marsha W. McCutchen (Jimmy) of Lynchburg, SC, and Robbin W. Tyner (Timmy) of Lamar, SC; grandchildren, Bree Moss Houser (Trevor) of Florence, SC, Fallon Moss Barnes (Jeff) of Virginia, Breanna Whitehead Dorriety (Alex) of Timmonsvlle, SC, Lenora "Ferrell" Watford of Lynchburg, SC, Julia A. Tyner of Florence, SC, Dantzler “Danny” Tyner (USMC) of Jacksonville, NC; great-grandchildren, William Henry Dorriety, and Scarlett Claire Houser. In addition to her parents and her late husband, Lawrence W. Watford, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Lawrence “Buck” Tolson and Wyatt “Shot” Tolson; and her sister, Anette Tolson Evans.

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Mrs. Lenora Tolson Watford

June 3, 1936 - April 15, 2025