Ethel Bernice Medley Watts
May 26, 1913 - January 29, 2008
Marshall , AR
Ethel Bernice (Medley) Watts was born on May 26, 1913, in Catoosa, Oklahoma, to Marcus John K. Polk and Minnie (Smith) Medley.
Bernice quietly passed away on January 29, 2008, in Marshall, Arkansas. She was 94 years and eight months old.
The Medley family left Catoosa and returned home to Arkansas where they remained, living in Pindall, Dongola, and finally Cozahome.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Clois Allen Watts; her parents; daughter Melba Jene; sisters Elsie Mason and twin sisters, Wilma and Elma Medley; brothers Cecil, Eldred, and Olen Medley.
She is survived by daughters, Roberta (and Vance) Ferguson, and Patricia (and Delmar) Wilson, both of Marshall; sons Charles (and Bennie) Watts, and Michael (and Judy) Watts of Marshall; grandsons, Lance Watts of Marshall and Ken Ferguson of Bella Vista; granddaughters, Cheryl Reed of Marshall and Jamie James of Harrison; step-grandson Richard Wilson of Rogers; great-grandsons, Nick and Brandt Reed of Marshall; Preston, Warren, and Walker Ferguson of Bella Vista; great-great-grandson Kolsen Reed of Marshall as well as nieces and nephews.
On April 17, 1932, Bernice became Mrs. Clois Allen Watts. Clois' mother made the observation that Clois had gotten just the wife that he needed. Their first home was in Harriet, before moving to Landis. They also lived and worked in Oklahoma, Illinois, and Kansas, but all five of the children were born in Searcy, County; Clois and Bernice always came back home to the land. They settled permanently on their farm near Zack. Bernice was an excellent cook and homemaker, creative, gifted, and excelling at almost anything. She quilted, gardened, canned, crocheted, embroidered, wrote family history, researched genealogy, wrote poems, and songs, one of which you will hear today. She was a true companion to Clois. He liked to have her with him whenever he needed to fix fence and such on the farm. She dropped everything to help and be with him.
Bernice was one of those people who always knew what needed to be done and knew how to do it. She entered into any project or endeavor with focused interest and energy. She loved to work and was rarely idle around the home. She also worked in local cafes and the school.
She was assistant manager of the Ben Franklin store until she retired.
Bernice learned to sing and read music on her grandfather, Samuel Medley's knees. In her teen years, she accompanied her father to evangelistic revivals where he preached and she sang and played her guitar. She often played the harmonica and played the guitar at the same time. She also played the banjo. Her brothers and sister and herself sang as a group, each having learned to sing and read music. Whenever visitors came to "Uncle Polk and Aunt Minnie's" house, Bernice was asked to sing. Music continued to be an important part of her life. In later years she and Clois sang in quartets and with the Old Tyme Singers all over Searcy County and surrounding area and for a time,on the local radio station. They also ministered in singing at many funerals in this area. The last year and a half as she lay in bed in the nursing home and in the hospital, she sang praises and hymns to her father in heaven. She had placed her trust in His Dear Son, Jesus Christ when she was a teenager.
Besides a great love for her family, Bernice loved her church. She was a founding and charter member of the Martin Box Church and was a leader in getting the first social room built onto the church. She was active for many years in teaching, singing, organizing events, cleaning, painting; working on the social committee and in the sewing circle. Wherever there were sick folks or tragedy, Clois and Bernice were there with the comfort of their presence and homecooked food. Once a local gentleman lost his wife. While that family was out making arrangements, Bernice came to the house, cleaned the kitchen and left a full meal on the table. When the gentleman and his family returned home and found the meal and clean kitchen, he didn't need a message to know who had been there; he exclaimed to everyone, "Bernice has been here!" She had learned from her mother and her pastor father the importance of serving her fellow man. Her friends and friends of her children have described her as a good and kind woman.
She has left her family a great legacy in her work ethic, her faith in God, her dedication to her husband, tending to him so well and lovingly through the illness that took his life. She was a trustworthy employee and a loyal friend. She had a merciful heart. Bernice loved to have fun. She grew up with siblings who laughed a lot and played tricks on each other. Teasing was one way that Bernice showed her affection. If she kidded and teased with you, you can be sure that she liked you and felt comfortable with you.
Loving her family, Bernice was torn between leaving those still here and going to be with those already in heaven. After Clois had died, she pictured heaven as a place where the lion and lamb lie down together. Now, after a long life, when God finally called her to her new home, she went, but she left her love behind in the hearts of her children, and in the products of her labor. We can picture her now in that same place, a place of eternal peace and beauty.
Services were at Roller-Coffman Chapel. Burial was in the East Lawn Cemetery by Roller-Coffman Funeral Home.
May 26, 1913 - January 29, 2008
Marshall , AR
Ethel Bernice (Medley) Watts was born on May 26, 1913, in Catoosa, Oklahoma, to Marcus John K. Polk and Minnie (Smith) Medley.
Bernice quietly passed away on January 29, 2008, in Marshall, Arkansas. She was 94 years and eight months old.
The Medley family left Catoosa and returned home to Arkansas where they remained, living in Pindall, Dongola, and finally Cozahome.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Clois Allen Watts; her parents; daughter Melba Jene; sisters Elsie Mason and twin sisters, Wilma and Elma Medley; brothers Cecil, Eldred, and Olen Medley.
She is survived by daughters, Roberta (and Vance) Ferguson, and Patricia (and Delmar) Wilson, both of Marshall; sons Charles (and Bennie) Watts, and Michael (and Judy) Watts of Marshall; grandsons, Lance Watts of Marshall and Ken Ferguson of Bella Vista; granddaughters, Cheryl Reed of Marshall and Jamie James of Harrison; step-grandson Richard Wilson of Rogers; great-grandsons, Nick and Brandt Reed of Marshall; Preston, Warren, and Walker Ferguson of Bella Vista; great-great-grandson Kolsen Reed of Marshall as well as nieces and nephews.
On April 17, 1932, Bernice became Mrs. Clois Allen Watts. Clois' mother made the observation that Clois had gotten just the wife that he needed. Their first home was in Harriet, before moving to Landis. They also lived and worked in Oklahoma, Illinois, and Kansas, but all five of the children were born in Searcy, County; Clois and Bernice always came back home to the land. They settled permanently on their farm near Zack. Bernice was an excellent cook and homemaker, creative, gifted, and excelling at almost anything. She quilted, gardened, canned, crocheted, embroidered, wrote family history, researched genealogy, wrote poems, and songs, one of which you will hear today. She was a true companion to Clois. He liked to have her with him whenever he needed to fix fence and such on the farm. She dropped everything to help and be with him.
Bernice was one of those people who always knew what needed to be done and knew how to do it. She entered into any project or endeavor with focused interest and energy. She loved to work and was rarely idle around the home. She also worked in local cafes and the school.
She was assistant manager of the Ben Franklin store until she retired.
Bernice learned to sing and read music on her grandfather, Samuel Medley's knees. In her teen years, she accompanied her father to evangelistic revivals where he preached and she sang and played her guitar. She often played the harmonica and played the guitar at the same time. She also played the banjo. Her brothers and sister and herself sang as a group, each having learned to sing and read music. Whenever visitors came to "Uncle Polk and Aunt Minnie's" house, Bernice was asked to sing. Music continued to be an important part of her life. In later years she and Clois sang in quartets and with the Old Tyme Singers all over Searcy County and surrounding area and for a time,on the local radio station. They also ministered in singing at many funerals in this area. The last year and a half as she lay in bed in the nursing home and in the hospital, she sang praises and hymns to her father in heaven. She had placed her trust in His Dear Son, Jesus Christ when she was a teenager.
Besides a great love for her family, Bernice loved her church. She was a founding and charter member of the Martin Box Church and was a leader in getting the first social room built onto the church. She was active for many years in teaching, singing, organizing events, cleaning, painting; working on the social committee and in the sewing circle. Wherever there were sick folks or tragedy, Clois and Bernice were there with the comfort of their presence and homecooked food. Once a local gentleman lost his wife. While that family was out making arrangements, Bernice came to the house, cleaned the kitchen and left a full meal on the table. When the gentleman and his family returned home and found the meal and clean kitchen, he didn't need a message to know who had been there; he exclaimed to everyone, "Bernice has been here!" She had learned from her mother and her pastor father the importance of serving her fellow man. Her friends and friends of her children have described her as a good and kind woman.
She has left her family a great legacy in her work ethic, her faith in God, her dedication to her husband, tending to him so well and lovingly through the illness that took his life. She was a trustworthy employee and a loyal friend. She had a merciful heart. Bernice loved to have fun. She grew up with siblings who laughed a lot and played tricks on each other. Teasing was one way that Bernice showed her affection. If she kidded and teased with you, you can be sure that she liked you and felt comfortable with you.
Loving her family, Bernice was torn between leaving those still here and going to be with those already in heaven. After Clois had died, she pictured heaven as a place where the lion and lamb lie down together. Now, after a long life, when God finally called her to her new home, she went, but she left her love behind in the hearts of her children, and in the products of her labor. We can picture her now in that same place, a place of eternal peace and beauty.
Services were at Roller-Coffman Chapel. Burial was in the East Lawn Cemetery by Roller-Coffman Funeral Home.
Ethel Bernice Medley Watts
May 26, 1913 - January 29, 2008
Marshall , AR
Ethel Bernice (Medley) Watts was born on May 26, 1913, in Catoosa, Oklahoma, to Marcus John K. Polk and Minnie (Smith) Medley.
Bernice quietly passed away on January 29, 2008, in Marshall, Arkansas. She was 94 years and eight months old.
The Medley family left Catoosa and returned home to Arkansas where they remained, living in Pindall, Dongola, and finally Cozahome.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Clois Allen Watts; her parents; daughter Melba Jene; sisters Elsie Mason and twin sisters, Wilma and Elma Medley; brothers Cecil, Eldred, and Olen Medley.
She is survived by daughters, Roberta (and Vance) Ferguson, and Patricia (and Delmar) Wilson, both of Marshall; sons Charles (and Bennie) Watts, and Michael (and Judy) Watts of Marshall; grandsons, Lance Watts of Marshall and Ken Ferguson of Bella Vista; granddaughters, Cheryl Reed of Marshall and Jamie James of Harrison; step-grandson Richard Wilson of Rogers; great-grandsons, Nick and Brandt Reed of Marshall; Preston, Warren, and Walker Ferguson of Bella Vista; great-great-grandson Kolsen Reed of Marshall as well as nieces and nephews.
On April 17, 1932, Bernice became Mrs. Clois Allen Watts. Clois' mother made the observation that Clois had gotten just the wife that he needed. Their first home was in Harriet, before moving to Landis. They also lived and worked in Oklahoma, Illinois, and Kansas, but all five of the children were born in Searcy, County; Clois and Bernice always came back home to the land. They settled permanently on their farm near Zack. Bernice was an excellent cook and homemaker, creative, gifted, and excelling at almost anything. She quilted, gardened, canned, crocheted, embroidered, wrote family history, researched genealogy, wrote poems, and songs, one of which you will hear today. She was a true companion to Clois. He liked to have her with him whenever he needed to fix fence and such on the farm. She dropped everything to help and be with him.
Bernice was one of those people who always knew what needed to be done and knew how to do it. She entered into any project or endeavor with focused interest and energy. She loved to work and was rarely idle around the home. She also worked in local cafes and the school.
She was assistant manager of the Ben Franklin store until she retired.
Bernice learned to sing and read music on her grandfather, Samuel Medley's knees. In her teen years, she accompanied her father to evangelistic revivals where he preached and she sang and played her guitar. She often played the harmonica and played the guitar at the same time. She also played the banjo. Her brothers and sister and herself sang as a group, each having learned to sing and read music. Whenever visitors came to "Uncle Polk and Aunt Minnie's" house, Bernice was asked to sing. Music continued to be an important part of her life. In later years she and Clois sang in quartets and with the Old Tyme Singers all over Searcy County and surrounding area and for a time,on the local radio station. They also ministered in singing at many funerals in this area. The last year and a half as she lay in bed in the nursing home and in the hospital, she sang praises and hymns to her father in heaven. She had placed her trust in His Dear Son, Jesus Christ when she was a teenager.
Besides a great love for her family, Bernice loved her church. She was a founding and charter member of the Martin Box Church and was a leader in getting the first social room built onto the church. She was active for many years in teaching, singing, organizing events, cleaning, painting; working on the social committee and in the sewing circle. Wherever there were sick folks or tragedy, Clois and Bernice were there with the comfort of their presence and homecooked food. Once a local gentleman lost his wife. While that family was out making arrangements, Bernice came to the house, cleaned the kitchen and left a full meal on the table. When the gentleman and his family returned home and found the meal and clean kitchen, he didn't need a message to know who had been there; he exclaimed to everyone, "Bernice has been here!" She had learned from her mother and her pastor father the importance of serving her fellow man. Her friends and friends of her children have described her as a good and kind woman.
She has left her family a great legacy in her work ethic, her faith in God, her dedication to her husband, tending to him so well and lovingly through the illness that took his life. She was a trustworthy employee and a loyal friend. She had a merciful heart. Bernice loved to have fun. She grew up with siblings who laughed a lot and played tricks on each other. Teasing was one way that Bernice showed her affection. If she kidded and teased with you, you can be sure that she liked you and felt comfortable with you.
Loving her family, Bernice was torn between leaving those still here and going to be with those already in heaven. After Clois had died, she pictured heaven as a place where the lion and lamb lie down together. Now, after a long life, when God finally called her to her new home, she went, but she left her love behind in the hearts of her children, and in the products of her labor. We can picture her now in that same place, a place of eternal peace and beauty.
Services were at Roller-Coffman Chapel. Burial was in the East Lawn Cemetery by Roller-Coffman Funeral Home.
May 26, 1913 - January 29, 2008
Marshall , AR
Ethel Bernice (Medley) Watts was born on May 26, 1913, in Catoosa, Oklahoma, to Marcus John K. Polk and Minnie (Smith) Medley.
Bernice quietly passed away on January 29, 2008, in Marshall, Arkansas. She was 94 years and eight months old.
The Medley family left Catoosa and returned home to Arkansas where they remained, living in Pindall, Dongola, and finally Cozahome.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Clois Allen Watts; her parents; daughter Melba Jene; sisters Elsie Mason and twin sisters, Wilma and Elma Medley; brothers Cecil, Eldred, and Olen Medley.
She is survived by daughters, Roberta (and Vance) Ferguson, and Patricia (and Delmar) Wilson, both of Marshall; sons Charles (and Bennie) Watts, and Michael (and Judy) Watts of Marshall; grandsons, Lance Watts of Marshall and Ken Ferguson of Bella Vista; granddaughters, Cheryl Reed of Marshall and Jamie James of Harrison; step-grandson Richard Wilson of Rogers; great-grandsons, Nick and Brandt Reed of Marshall; Preston, Warren, and Walker Ferguson of Bella Vista; great-great-grandson Kolsen Reed of Marshall as well as nieces and nephews.
On April 17, 1932, Bernice became Mrs. Clois Allen Watts. Clois' mother made the observation that Clois had gotten just the wife that he needed. Their first home was in Harriet, before moving to Landis. They also lived and worked in Oklahoma, Illinois, and Kansas, but all five of the children were born in Searcy, County; Clois and Bernice always came back home to the land. They settled permanently on their farm near Zack. Bernice was an excellent cook and homemaker, creative, gifted, and excelling at almost anything. She quilted, gardened, canned, crocheted, embroidered, wrote family history, researched genealogy, wrote poems, and songs, one of which you will hear today. She was a true companion to Clois. He liked to have her with him whenever he needed to fix fence and such on the farm. She dropped everything to help and be with him.
Bernice was one of those people who always knew what needed to be done and knew how to do it. She entered into any project or endeavor with focused interest and energy. She loved to work and was rarely idle around the home. She also worked in local cafes and the school.
She was assistant manager of the Ben Franklin store until she retired.
Bernice learned to sing and read music on her grandfather, Samuel Medley's knees. In her teen years, she accompanied her father to evangelistic revivals where he preached and she sang and played her guitar. She often played the harmonica and played the guitar at the same time. She also played the banjo. Her brothers and sister and herself sang as a group, each having learned to sing and read music. Whenever visitors came to "Uncle Polk and Aunt Minnie's" house, Bernice was asked to sing. Music continued to be an important part of her life. In later years she and Clois sang in quartets and with the Old Tyme Singers all over Searcy County and surrounding area and for a time,on the local radio station. They also ministered in singing at many funerals in this area. The last year and a half as she lay in bed in the nursing home and in the hospital, she sang praises and hymns to her father in heaven. She had placed her trust in His Dear Son, Jesus Christ when she was a teenager.
Besides a great love for her family, Bernice loved her church. She was a founding and charter member of the Martin Box Church and was a leader in getting the first social room built onto the church. She was active for many years in teaching, singing, organizing events, cleaning, painting; working on the social committee and in the sewing circle. Wherever there were sick folks or tragedy, Clois and Bernice were there with the comfort of their presence and homecooked food. Once a local gentleman lost his wife. While that family was out making arrangements, Bernice came to the house, cleaned the kitchen and left a full meal on the table. When the gentleman and his family returned home and found the meal and clean kitchen, he didn't need a message to know who had been there; he exclaimed to everyone, "Bernice has been here!" She had learned from her mother and her pastor father the importance of serving her fellow man. Her friends and friends of her children have described her as a good and kind woman.
She has left her family a great legacy in her work ethic, her faith in God, her dedication to her husband, tending to him so well and lovingly through the illness that took his life. She was a trustworthy employee and a loyal friend. She had a merciful heart. Bernice loved to have fun. She grew up with siblings who laughed a lot and played tricks on each other. Teasing was one way that Bernice showed her affection. If she kidded and teased with you, you can be sure that she liked you and felt comfortable with you.
Loving her family, Bernice was torn between leaving those still here and going to be with those already in heaven. After Clois had died, she pictured heaven as a place where the lion and lamb lie down together. Now, after a long life, when God finally called her to her new home, she went, but she left her love behind in the hearts of her children, and in the products of her labor. We can picture her now in that same place, a place of eternal peace and beauty.
Services were at Roller-Coffman Chapel. Burial was in the East Lawn Cemetery by Roller-Coffman Funeral Home.
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