Sue Carter Watson

Henrietta Sue Carter Watson

March 5, 1933 – August 17, 2024

Sue Carter Watson lived life with passion and fight. Her life was filled with her family, the law, knowledge and experiences. Sue left this world after 91 amazing years of busting through barriers and experiencing the world to the fullest.

 Born 1933 in Hayden, Alabama, Sue was the eldest child of Henry “Zac” Carter and Myrtle Mooneyham Carter. When Sue was young, Zac got a job with the Federal Government, and the Carter family moved from rural Alabama to Washington, D.C. Sue remembers walking across the George Washington Bridge and getting 10¢ to take her little brother Buddy to the movies, 5¢ for transportation and 5¢ for the movie. Always one to call the shots, Sue’s 5¢ transportation budget was changed to popcorn, candy and walking home. Sue cherished her summers back at the family farm in Alabama. Zac then got a job with Avondale Shipyards, and Sue moved to New Orleans for high school. She remembers Newman High School as the best school she attended.

 Sue became a lawyer before most had heard of female lawyers. LSU Law School was so dominated by males that the Dean cautioned Sue not to walk through the law library in white pants because she was “distracting the boys.” Sue graduated LSU Law School in 1959. Sue later received her Masters in Admiralty Law, graduating from Tulane with distinction. Sue has been published in the National Maritime Law Journal.

 In law school, Sue met her future husband, soul mate, and best friend, Jack Crozier Watson. From there, Sue and Jack walked hand in hand through life. 

 Sue and Jack moved to Lake Charles to practice law and started Watson and Watson. One of Sue’s fond memories from their early days in Lake Charles was helping host a party for then presidential candidate, Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Sue and Jack very much enjoyed the eventual President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie.

Jack entered the judiciary and eventually ascended to Louisiana’s highest court; he became Supreme Court Justice Jack Watson. Sue became Jack’s primary law clerk, and although Jack decided all of the cases, Sue actually wrote them. Those in the legal field will appreciate that Jack and Sue did all of their own writ applications and were never late with an opinion. Just like law school, Sue was the only female at the Supreme Court that had regular lunch with the male Justices.

Sue’s respected role at the Louisiana Supreme Court was epitomized by a call received by then Chief Justice John Dixon. The Louisiana legislature was investigating nepotism in Louisiana and called Chief Justice Dixon to ask about Sue Watson working for Jack Watson. Chief Justice Dixon responded, “we can do without Jack, but we could not do without Sue.” That was the end of the inquiry.

Another example of Sue’s work at the Louisiana Supreme Court was when one of the justices wrote an opinion that none of the other members of the Court thought made sense or was worthy of publication. Chief Justice Dixon asked if anyone would attempt to re-write the opinion; Sue re-wrote it. The new opinion was circulated and well received, and Sue thought that was the last she would hear. However, the justice who had written the first, unsuccessful opinion, appeared in her office. He said “John (Chief Justice Dixon) won’t sign the opinion unless I can explain it to him.” Sue said it is simple and gave a brief explanation. He responded, “that’s it?” Sue said, “yes.” So, there is an opinion by one of Jack’s colleagues on the Supreme Court that was actually written by Sue.

Sue had other amazing accomplishments. She was the first woman in Louisiana on a bank board, being one of the founders and original Board of Directors of the Cameron State Bank. Sue was instrumental in changing the management at the bank that led to the bank’s prosperity. Cameron State Bank was eventually sold to Iberia Bank, and Sue remained the only female director until the sale. Sue was also the first female in Louisiana to serve on a Dock Board. Sue served on the Board of Directors of the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District from 1966-1972.

After 17 years on the Louisiana Supreme Court, Sue and Jack retired in 1996. It was then that they began writing the book on retirement. Annually, they attended a theater program in London where they saw 14 plays in 10 days. Their favorite trip was regularly attending the Tulane Law School Summer program in Greece, which was hosted by dear friend A.N. “Yippy” Yiannopoulos, who referred to Sue as “the incomparable Sue.” Sue often reflected on the amazing times in Greece with cherished friends, John and Jan deGrevelles and Jerry Dodson.

Sue and Jack went on photoshoots around the world that included photographing polar bears in Canada and wild animals in Africa. Jack was a very good amateur photographer, and as always, Sue was his #1 assistant. Sue and Jack also raised camellias, loved gardening, sailed competitively, and enjoyed dining out.

One cannot mention Sue without acknowledging her thirst for knowledge. She read everything. She read the New York Times daily, the Wall Street Journal daily, Newsweek, Time, Consumer Reports, The American Press, USA Today, and any other periodical she could find. She also read novels and was always adding bookshelves to hold her many books. There was not a subject about which Sue could not discuss. One of Sue’s favorite activities later in life was her book club she shared with amazing friends.

Sue and Jack were married for over 60 years and were literally inseparable. Their oldest son, Carter Crozier Watson, predeceased them. Sue’s younger brother, Buddy, also predeceased her, as did her parents Myrtle and Zac. Sue is survived by her loving son, Wells Talbot Watson; her loving grandchildren, Wells, Jr., Emeline, and Jack, II; loving former daughter-in-law, Michelle Watson; and her loyal labradoodle, “Buster.”

Of all of her accomplishments, Sue would say that she was most proud of Wells, Wells, Jr., Emeline and Jack, II. Wells says, “my mom would wrestle a bear for me or my kids, and I promise that the bear would not want a rematch. My mom was at all of my events and even attended a college intermural basketball playoff game. My mom was instrumental in me becoming a lawyer. One would think that if you had a dad who was a judge and mom who was a lawyer, you had no other dream or choice. However, I was floundering in college when my mom called and said, ‘we have signed you up for the law school test.’ She then guided my professional path after law school, including my clerking for the Honorable Chief Judge Fred Heebe in New Orleans Federal Court and joining William Baggett at Baggett McCall law firm. As a lawyer, mom helped edit my briefs. She never missed a trial or an appellate argument. I remember one time that my mom attended my argument of a case in the Third Circuit Court of Appeal. The other side had hired a lawyer who had a longstanding reputation in Louisiana legal circles, who my mom knew. When we walked out of the courthouse after the argument, my mom told the opposing lawyer that he had made a good argument. The other lawyer said, ‘Wells made a good one too.’ My mom said, ‘Oh yes, Wells’ was much better than yours.’ Then she walked on. That was my mom.”

Sue doted on her grandchildren and devised a birthday gift that they would receive a certain sum of money for every year. As the grandchildren grew older, Jack said he did not know that he was going to live so long and that maybe they should put a cap at 18 years. Sue would not have it. Sue and Jack took their grandkids to London, Greece, Normandy, Colorado, New York, and Houston. Sue made every volleyball game, basketball game, football game, production, awards ceremony, graduation, holiday and birthday party.

For 91 years, Sue went through life with elegance and style. People said that Sue Watson was the smartest person they knew. A friend said that Sue had an indominable will. Sue was surrounded by her family when she passed, showered with love, gratitude and admiration.

Special thanks to Becky White Heinen, who was always there with support and a smile. Thank you to caregivers, Desiree and Mona, who were instrumental in Sue’s care during the last year of her life. Special recognition to Frankie Icklone who was there in every way up until Sue passed on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Appreciation to Harbor Hospice who comforted Sue at the end. Sue was buried next to her husband, Jack, and her son, Carter, in Jonesboro, Louisiana after a private service. Any recognition of Sue’s life can be sent to Newman High School in New Orleans, Louisiana under the name of Henrietta Sue Carter Watson, either online or Isidore Newman School, 1903 Jefferson Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115.

Rest in peace and Godspeed to the incomparable Sue.