Teresa Faye (Stanley) Watwood

Teresa Faye (Stanley) Watwood, 67, a beloved and devoted wife, step-mother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on Sunday, September 6th, 2026 at her residence with her husband, Eddie by her side. She was born on Tuesday, March 31st, 1959 to Faye and Ralph Stanley. Teresa was a lifelong resident of Franklin, KY, where she built a life filled with love, service, and dedication to her family and community.

Teresa was a 1977 graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School and continued her education at Western Kentucky University, earning a paralegal degree. Her career was marked by significant contributions to the legal and municipal fields. Teresa served as a Legal Secretary for the Simpson District/Circuit Judge from 1982 to 1989, Deputy District Court Clerk from 1989 to 1991, and Legal Assistant for Bell, Orr, Ayers & Moore from 1992 to 2000. She also made her mark at the Bowling Green City Clerk's Office from 2001 to 2006 and became a Certified Kentucky Municipal Clerk in 2005. Most recently, she worked as a Legal Assistant to Scott Crabtree, Attorney At Law, in 2021.

Teresa was known for her selflessness and willingness to help others, always ready to cook a meal for a family in need. She was actively involved in her faith community at Blackjack Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday School Director, on the New Building Survey Committee, as Hospitality Committee Chairperson, on the Nominating Committee, as a Trustee, Greeter, and with the Women of Women Mission Group. Currently, she and Eddie are attending Woodburn Baptist Church.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Eddie Watwood of Franklin, KY; her step-son, Brian Watwood and his wife, Jennifer Holloway Watwood; two step-grandchildren, Mckenzie Holloway Houchens and her husband, Jonathan Houchens and Jaxson Watwood; step great-granddaughter, Raelynn McCay Houchens; her loving mother, Lois Faye Cantrell; her brother, Bruce Stanley; her foster brother, Mark Johnson; and numerous aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Teresa will also be dearly missed by her precious fur baby, Bonnie. She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Stanley; step-father, Henry Cantrell; her brother, Marty Stanley; grandmother, Josephine Hicks Alford Huffines; and several cherished aunts and uncles.

A memorial service to honor Teresa's life will be held at Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory in Franklin, KY, on Thursday, September 10th, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the same location.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, and further information can be found on their website, www.gilbertfhonline.com, or by calling their office at 270-586-4464.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Woodburn Baptist Church, LifePoint Church, or Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Teresa's memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Teresa's warmth, kindness, and dedication to her community will be profoundly missed, but her legacy of love and service will continue to inspire all who knew her.