Daughter of Joseph Hammond Watkins & Lydia Ella Hancock

Married John Stuart McMaster, 17 Jun 1927, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Obituary - Clara Elizabeth Watkins McMaster was born at Beaver Dam, Box Elder County, Utah, the youngest of eleven children, to Joseph Hammond and Lydia Ella Hancock Watkins, on October 30, 1904. She died peacefully in her sleep on March 18, 1997.

She was raised in rural simplicity in Box Elder and Cache counties, graduated from Box Elder High School in Brigham City, and attended Utah State University at Logan prior to marrying her high school sweetheart, J. Stuart McMaster in the Salt Lake Temple on June 17, 1927.From her earliest days, music was a significant part of her life. She was born of parents and grandparents noted for their musical contributions to Pioneer life and many of her brothers played professionally with some of the big name bands of the twenties and thirties. She sang in the Tabernacle Choir for twenty three years. Was a member of the music committee of the Primary General Board for fourteen years. Over a period of more than sixty years she and her husband sang duets before countless church and community gatherings. In 1978 they were presented with the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Award from Brigham Young University in recognition of their service.

She was an active and faithful church member for all of her years, noted for the willingness and enthusiasm with which she approached each assignment. She was an active and vital component of the presidency of her husband in the Kansas-Missouri Mission of the church from 1970 to 1973, and never tired of following the lives of her more than 300 `extra sons and daughters.'

She had pure, unaffected qualities, an even disposition, and a fresh-air-wisp of charming humor that endeared her to nearly everyone who knew her. She composed many popular songs for children among which are: primary favorites `Teach Me to Walk in the Light of His Love' and `My Heavenly Father Loves Me.'

She is survived by her four children, Diane McCoun, John S. McMaster, Thomas W. McMaster (wife Karen) and Brent W. McMaster (wife Diane), all of Salt Lake City, eighteen grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held in the Hillside Stake Center, 1400 South 1900 East, at 12 noon on Friday, March 21, 1997. Friends may call at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Thursday evening 7 - 9 and at the stake center Friday morning 10 -11:45. Interment will be at the Brigham City Cemetery.

T 3/19 N 3/20