Alza Eunice Watson Johnson Simonds departed this life and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 29, at Franklin House Assisted Living in Franklin, NC.

Alza was born December 12, 1924, in Glenville, NC to the late Louie Homer and Beulah Stewart Watson. She often told stories of growing up on Pine Creek with her extended family close by, but after her mother died of pneumonia in 1936, the family moved to Franklin, NC, where in 1942, Alza would marry Elmer Kay Johnson. They would have two daughters and enjoy life together in the Holly Springs community. After she was widowed, Alza would again find love with Vaughn Simonds, and they would marry and live happily together until his death in 2007. Throughout her life, Alza was known for her faith and fortitude in tough times, for her love of gardening, for her dedication to all God's creatures, and for her ready willingness to cook for and help others. She loved music and sang in the choir at Holly Springs Baptist Church and then at South Macon Baptist Church as long as she was able. A devoted Atlanta Braves fan, she watched every game she could get, even as her fading vision made it hard to see. In August 2024, when her health made it impossible to live on her own, she moved to Franklin House Assisted Living, where she thrived with the loving care and fellowship she enjoyed there.

In addition to her parents and her two husbands, Alza was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Clydia J. Johnson; her sisters, Grace Baldwin and Lucille Bain; her brother, Frank Watson; and a half-sister, Martha Cheek.

She is survived by her daughter, Anita J. Latimer; a grandson, Chris Johnson (Mandy); four great-granddaughters: Janie Elizabeth Johnson; Caroline Amason (Chandler); Kendall Graziani (Devin); and Gracie Johnson; and half-brother and sisters: Barbara Talley, Shirley Simonds, J.L. Watson, Janice Hendrix, Geneva Queen, Daisy Williamson, Roger Watson, Carolyn Goins, Glenda Holland, and Terry Bingham; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A special thanks to a circle of friends who became like family and to Rev. Albert Grey and her church family at South Macon Baptist Church.

A celebration of life will be held in the chapel of Macon Funeral Home at 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 7 with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in the family plot at Holly Springs Baptist Church, beneath a tree overlooking her beloved mountains.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to South Macon Baptist Church, PO Box 441, Franklin, NC 28744 or to a charitable organization of ones choice.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.