Houston, TX Former resident of Racine, WI

Her Life Story – Kathie Aniece (nee: Price) Watson was born on April 7 th , 1950 to the union of Lawrence and Geraldine Price in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kathie received her formal education from Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin. She graduated from Park High School in 1968 as an honor roll student. She was an inductee to the Cheerleaders Hall of Fame and earned the title of Home Run King for the most home runs on record for the girls' softball team. Kathie went on to further her education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she graduated with honors with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1971.

After graduation Kathie moved to Chicago, where her first career move was her T.V. show "An Invitation to Openness" on WGN. Her show was so successful that she was the runner up to Oprah Winfrey to take her show to a national platform. Soon after, Kathie transitioned from TV to Radio. She did a short stint as a jazz radio announcer for WBBE. She soon realized that sales was her sweet spot and switched into advertising. She started in radio advertising sales at WBBM in news radio in 1973. Kathie transitioned over to station WBMX in Oak Park, Illinois where she became a celebrated executive sales producer. In 1977, she shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to ever make a $1,000,000 in sales. In addition, Kathie also published a book on helping radio audiences while traveling to identify what the major stations were in the market across the U.S.

Kathie's success even landed her in the prestigious Jet magazine. Kathie's career allowed her to meet and mingle with stars, like Ron Isley, Whitney Houston, Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder, Kool and the Gang, Natalie Cole, The Gap Band, Shucky Ducky, Killa Bug and many more. During this time, Kathie met, married and eventually divorced Tony Leaner who's family had integral ties to the music industry. In the early 80's Kathie relocated to Dallas, Texas. She got married to El'za Allen Watson on October 28th of 1985; with whom she had her only child, Elza Ala'Niece Watson born May 12 th ,1986. Kathie and Allie had a special relationship. Her Pooh Bear was the true love of her life. Kathie exposed Allie to various forms of art, travel, culinary experiences and even challenged her to think outside the box in terms of career opportunities. They were true mother daughter best friends. Kathie continued her career in radio sales but switched from secular music to gospel radio. Kathie became the General Manager of radio station KJOJ in Conroe, Texas in 1994. She made it her mission to elevate the minority presence to Christian radio. She enjoyed making an impact in lives of her radio station audience by coordinating food drives, clothing drives, connecting the public to outreach programs, elevating the local churches' presence on the radio, and so much more. In her leisure time she loved planning cookouts, parties, birthday celebrations, holiday events and vacations. She was an avid planner. In her alone time, you would often find her on the patio unwinding to R&B or jazz music with a pack of menthol cigarettes and a glass of wine. Kathie retired from radio in 1999. In 2000 she relocated back to Racine, Wisconsin; then relocated back to Dallas, Texas in 2004. In 2015 Kathie relocated further south to Houston, Texas where she would spend the remainder of her life. Kathie Aniece Watson departed this life on June 20th , 2022. She was preceded in death by: her father Lawrence Edward Price, her brother Noconnoco Devall Price, Sister Phoebe Lachelle Brown, brother- in-law Robert "Bobby" Brown, brother-in-law Kalvin Kordell Barker, and sister-in-law Annie Price. Kathie leaves to cherish her memory: husband El'za Allen Watson, daughter Elza Ala`Niece Watson, mother Geraldine Price nee Blackwell, brother Paul Lawrence Price, sister MonaLisa Marske and brother-in-law Robert Marske, sister Deborah Roquel Price, sister Carma Evette Barker and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

The Celebration of Kathie's Life will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022, 3:30pm in the chapel of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd., Racine, WI.  Visitation will be in the chapel on Saturday from 2:30pm until the time of service.

Due to the recent rise of Covid-19 cases in the area the family has requested that everyone wear masks while in the funeral home. Please bring your own mask, they will not be provided at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation concerning this matter. It is the prayer of the family that everyone remains safe as we come together to Celebrate Kathie's Beautiful Life.

Service Details

Funeral: Saturday, July 2, 2022  3:30pm

Visitation: Saturday, July 2, 2022 2:30pm – 3:30pm

Location: Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600  County Line Rd., Racine, WI

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