Mrs. Mary J. Noble-Huggans

Mary Josephine Watson Noble-Huggans, affectionally known by many as May Jo, was born to the union of Charles Lee Watson and Josephine Olion-Watson on Tuesday, April 21 st 1942 in Brentwood Missouri. Her father and mother as well as her brother; Dennis Lee Watson and sister; Maude Lavenia Hull-Gray preceded her in death.

Mary Jo accepted Christ at an early age at Emmanuel Baptist Church in the 8700 block of Agnus Ave of Brentwood Missouri. Her Pastors were Reverend M.L. Thames and Reverend Charles Thames. She would share the many stories about the pastors and the visiting preachers that ate at their home on Sunday. Her mother Josephine Olion-Watson was not one to turn anyone away, there always seemed to be enough for all. Mary Jo would repeatedly tell her family that as a young child she would get in trouble for imitating the preachers that came to the house for dinner. She was not one that was able to hold in laughter as a child nor as an adult. Just like her mother she also showed hospitality to many, they could expect to have a good meal and laugh from her jokes and imitations. She also was a member of Greater Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Franklin in Saint Louis MO, Mount Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Floyd Everette Brown in Sioux City Iowa, Communion Church Ministries under the leadership of Leonard and Cora Lee Barber in Cool Valley, MO, Transformation Church under the leadership of Pastor Pricellious J. Burruss in Saint Louis, MO and Central Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Anthony L. Riley.

Mary Jo had a love for singing, which began in church and continued all her life. Because of her vocal abilities she was given free operatic voice lessons. She didn’t continue them but often used this life example, with her children about missed opportunities and living with regret. She was one to encourage her children or anyone that crossed her path.

Mary Jo attended the Brentwood School system, she graduated from Brentwood Highschool in 1957. In 1962 she received Certificate of Accomplishment from the former TWA airline career training program for flight stewardess. In 1977 she graduated from the Forest Park Community College of Nursing where she received an Associates in Nursing. In 1983 Mary Jo attended Webster University to obtain her Bachelors in Nursing, she did not finish but had spoken often about completing it before she retired from the VA Hospital. She worked at several hospitals and departments and always looked for new experiences in nursing. She said that nursing gave her the life and the ability to take care of her children and do what she loved most, teach others about understanding their medical conditions. Education for her was the key and could change anyone lives. It didn’t matter whether you were the RN, Doctor or the patient, this relationship could last forever and cause someone’s life to be extended. Her family repeatedly met several of her patients and the one thing they would always hear was that Mary Jo
provided excellent care, handled their unruly family members and how great she was as a nurse.

Mary Jo Watson married Frank Noble(s) from Meacham Park, MO., this ceremony happened in Tijuana,  Mexico. From this union 3 children were born, DeVona Lynn, Frank Christopher and David Roman. In 2005 they remarried for the second time in St Louis Mo. Frank Noble(s), proceeded her in death in November 2008. In 2016 Mary Jo Watson- Noble met fellow Disciple, Fred J. Huggans at Central Baptist Church. He shared with his new family how he waited for the right time to approach her. He passed her a note, asking a question about the announcements and she responded. This broke the ice and they both speak of how this was the beginning of their friendship that would ultimately lead to marriage. In 2018 Mary Jo  Watson-Noble married the love of her life Fred J. Huggans and a new chapter began not just for her but for her family as well. Her adult children and family were honored to intimately see the love and care that Fred Huggans showed to their sister, mother and aunt. Every day they spent together began with a cup of coffee, a kiss and the words, “I love You”. They agreed that they would live each day as if it could be there last and they would not go a day without saying those three words, “I love You”. On February 25 th at 12:02 pm, Mary Jo Noble-Huggans took her last breath with her husband and family by her side.

Mary Jo leaves in loving care to God to cherish her memories: Loving husband of 1year 9 months, Fred J. Huggans; children DeVona Lynn, Frank Christopher, David Roman (Betty Hurst-Noble); sister Alma Jean Copeland, grandchildren Jamil Hassan, Amir Oman and Kylan Ammar; God-daughter Cayleigh Naomi Jones : a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, Great-great nieces and nephews cousins, family and friends.

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