Mrs. Belinda Durham Watson

Belinda Durham Watson, 62, answered the Master's Call to come rest from her labor on April 23, 2025. Mrs. Watson was born on July 12, 1962 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Willie and Louie Durham. From there she and her family moved to Bristol, Connecticut. She attended Memorial Boulevard Middle School and went on to graduate from Bristol Eastern High School. Shortly after high school, she gave birth to her daughter, Nakisha, and moved to Gainesville, FL where she worked at several hotels and was also employed at Piccadilly's Restaurant. Belinda had a love of cooking, so her and her late husband, Alfonso, decided to open up her own restaurant nd named it after her mother, Boosie, from whom she learned how to cook all of her delicious recipes. Belinda's passion was cooking and feeding people. Every holiday she would cook big dinners and give to anyone that didn't have a plate of her delicious food. She never wanted anyone to go without eating, especially during a holiday. She was known for many of her dishes, but mostly her fried chicken. On February 29, 2016, she married the love of her life, Alfonso. Their courtship lasted thirty-one years. During their marriage, they both became affiliated with Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Gainesville, FL. Belinda is preceded in death by her husband, Alfonso Watson, her parents Willie and Louise Durham, Father and Mother-in-Law, Deacon Hezekiah and Mother Dora Mae Watson, Grandmother, Dorothy Jones, Great-Grandmother, Catherine Taylor, Sister, Lavern Richardson, Brother, Michael Durham, Sister-in-Law, Joyce Watson, Brother-in-Law, Lawrence Watson, Sr., and Nephew, Tremayne Richardson. She leaves to mourn and cherish her beautiful memory; her Children, Nakisha Williams (Terrence), Catrenia Watson, Alfonso Watson, Jr., Richard Watson (Amy), Deonia Watson, Kenya Watson, and Shakeisha Lesesne, all of Gainesville, FL; God-Daughter, Monique Esau of Roanoke, VA; Sisters, Shirley Cason (Zel), and DeeDee Durham, all of Bristol, CT; Brother, Willie Durham of Bristol, CT; Sisters-in-Law, Barbara Andrews (Ramoth) and Marilyn Tucker (Oliver), both of Gainesville, FL, and Yvonne Buggs (Leslie) of Atlnta, GA; and host of Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and caring friends. Public Visitation for Mrs. Watson will be Friday, May 2, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chestnut Funeral Home, 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Haynes Memorial Cemetery, 401 West Smith Avenue, Micanopy, FL 32667. Interment will follow immediately after the service. "A CHESTNUT SERVICE"

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Mrs. Belinda Durham Watson

July 16, 1962 - April 23, 2025