Tribute

It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of our Mother, Grandmother plus Friend, Charlene Joan Lewis (Mercer) Watson passed on July 18, 2023, at McKendree Village Health Center in Hermitage, TN. Charlene was a long-time resident of Carlsbad, CA (The Little Village By The Sea) for more than 45 years. In this beautiful setting, she accumulated many friends and considered them all as her family. One of her favorite daily routines was watching her hummingbirds as they visited her tiny apartment balcony. It was the simple things in life that made her happy. She accepted what life had to offer, which was not what she always wanted, but what she needed… her quote was “it will be, what it will be”! She was a wise and compassionate little lady with a generous soul in helping others. This is why she requested to donate her body to science… in doing so, she would give her last Gift… to help others! Charlene was born June 4, 1929, in Dayton, Ohio to Robert and Ruth (Thrush) Lewis. She graduated from Wayne High School in Detroit, MI, around 1949. She continued her education by graduating from Wayne State University, majoring in Secretarial Skills. These skills paved the way for becoming a lawyer’s secretary, later she advanced to an Executive Secretary position. Charlene had 3 children by Glenn Mercer: Mark Mercer (son), Greg Mercer (son), and Beth Mercer (daughter), all were born in MI. She is survived by her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Her hobbies in her younger years were: water skiing, snow skiing, and golfing. Hobbies at an older age were: pottery, quilting, bird watching, visiting botanical gardens, glass art, and reading interesting books or keeping up with world events. She was active physically and mentally until the last year of her life… never giving up, striving always! Charlene will be greatly missed from this walk of life. To each person touched by her life in crossing… May she visit us often in memory, as our hearts keep her memory alive. Rest in peace Little Hummingbird, visit us in spirit… as we spread your ashes near your Earthly Home! Yet, we know you are always with us, because you are in our hearts, watching from your Heavenly Home!

Friends & Family