The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-04-20
MRS. MARY A. WATTS.
An Appreciation.

~ $500 "''N '''i aNi''I AIIlI II, lill ,
at her home in Pennington, Mo.
She was married to Rev. Henry $.
Watts, so Familiarity remembered ms
Rough and Ready" in 1853. To
them were born five children, two OF
whom Miss Sue Watts and Jerome
Is. Watts-survive her; also Mrs.
Mary Mcfarland, a daughter OF
Brother Watts by his former mar
riage, and II number OF grandchil-
dren and great-grandchildren who
miss the bright presence of this
most extraordinary woman.
Grandmother Watts, when quite a
child, seated on the stairway in her
own home, listening to sermon
preached by Il Cumberland Presby-
terrain preacher, accepted the mes
sage, and found the Friend, who
proved constant through her long
eventiul life. When the Methudists
entered the community, the Cumber-
lands abandoned their efforts, and
turned over their members to the
"watchcurc' of the Mcthodists. Her
husband later came ON the work, and
found IN this child, now "A young
woman, the attraCtiVpncsS and
strength which would make her Il
help.lucot To him IN his misistry.
How well she met the trials of those
early pioneer days and Splcndidly
achieved the undertakings assigned
her, only those who shared these cN-
/ pericurcS fully understand. What
words So APPLY describe the charaC-
! ter OF this wise, wOmanly woman,
as the words In the 3lst chapter of
| Proverbs "A Nirtuous woman, in
whom the heart OF her husband doth
safely trust, who dOcth him good
and not evil all the days of her life
/ Strength and honor are her cloth
/ ing. Her children arise up and call
, her blessed What richer reward
/ than the testimony of children, who
bless her memory because Of the
imperishable legacy ~ love and
| iaithlulncss.
| How much could Ice said of this
remarkable little mother and Christ
ian friend! Loving all and being
loved 10y all, such was her life. A
| personality SO winning, and so
| poised, that her life grew rich in
deeds OF kindness andunselfishness
making il beautiful in the harmony
of detail. The bright spirit, u bene-
dictiOn to all who approached its
! sphere; the beautiful smile that
gave token of the perfect rcstfulness
Of her spirit In those days when she
was making ready to put out to
sea, ~ can never hc oilaced from the
memory of those who watched by
| her bcd side. \ purrr, swcrtrr, no
/ bier life We have never known. Her
memory bl"sscs ali whc knew her.
What homc-mak"r sh" was,
Sh" knew what WAS prim" Iu such
al undertaking., and what uplurr of
halluwrd memories remains for
those who shared ihr sacred pre-
/ ciuctN of her home. surely the ten.
I der, loving touches of those tired
hands viii never cuu~" to bring On
the loved ones tine call to give out
the hest, for there Is a saving which
il loss. Not great woman because
IN the limc-light of public life, hut
/ great because sh" wrought we'll. In
! disposition, modest, quiet, uuus-
/ Stunning, but strong IN faith and
/ love. She lived for high ends; all
/ of her strength Of heart and mind
|cOusccrated To- the best. Her inter
. est i'm the best Ia literature and art
grew with iuCrcas" of years. Dur
/ ing the last month, she showed II
remarkable sensitivrness when lis
tcning to readings which violated
! her standard of the best. She
thought vigorously, thought things
out, and gave "A wide application to
every possibility of attainment.
And how beautifully she lived in
the light OF hope that perisheth
not with the day. She was IA wOm-
an who walked with God in intimate
/ acquaintance. The fullness of peace
gave her Joy, and the radiance Of
! her trustful faith made the unseen
real Hers is indeed the beatitude
Of the pure III heart. All her pow
ers belonged to Him who had SO
wnndrOusly mccted out to her His
Iunfailing goodness and love Deep
| ~ interested in the church, ever
making inquiries after the wcliur"
of zion, and responsive in sympa-
| thy and gratitude for every tiding
| OF progress Hnd victory. Generous,
! | am sure, often when it meant self.
/ denial, but what she did she did
/ with II heart sincere. Freely aud
! ch"crfully she lent Ia the cause of
right, being confident that God ;
( care was II safe asset, and His cause
would come tu IA glorious fruitiOn.
/ Sh" went away In triumph, for