WHARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL

MRS. A. M. WATTS IS CALLED BEYOND


After Months of Patient Suf­fering, Aged Lady Died Tuesday Evening

Mrs. Amanda M. Watts passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. L. Bolton, on Tuesday evening at 7:00 o'­ clock, death coming peacefully to her who through years had; suffered patiently and who met! Him unafraid. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon from the First Baptist church, the pastor, Rev. George E. Stewart conducting the services and paying tribute in full measure to the deceased, who largely in her lifetime, had contributed to the development of the church here, giving of her substance and of her time in unstinted measure that there might obtain a better spiritual life, and a more Christian feeling here.

Mrs. Watts was quite active until about eight years ago when she suffered a fail that so seriously injured a hip that since that time when able to get about at all it was with the aid of crutches. She made her home with her widowed daughter, Mrs.Maggie Moore, until a few weeks ago, when her condition became such that it was thought advisable to take her to Mrs. Bolton's where she might have constant attention, and it was here that the end, came to her Tuesday evening.

Amanda M. Armstrong was born at Camden, Alabama, in 1846, and in that place grew she womanhood. She was married in 1860 to Octavius Victor, who when the War between the States broke out, enlisted in the army of Virginia and marched away to meet the foe. He was killed in battle, leaving his widow with a baby son. After the war, about 1870, she, was united in marriage to C. J. Watts, and of this union four, children were the issue. In l879, Mrs. Watts, at the instance of her brother, Rev.J.B.Armstrong, who had come out to Texas, induced her husband to move to the Lone Star State, and they came to Wharton, where the brother then held the pastorate. They had not lived long here until death claimed the second husband and Mrs. Watts was left with the burden of the support and care of her five children. This burden she bore up under with that patient Christian fortitude which was one of her strongest characteristics, and she applied for and was elected to teach the first public school ever opened in this city. After serving in this capacity for several years, she was elected post-mistress, a position she filled for many years. She always found time to attend church, of which she became a member at the age of 12 years, regularly, and to teach a class of the Sunday school.

The children grew to maturity, enjoying the respect and confidence of all who knew them, and Wednesday all five of them were here to mingle their tears as the remains of their beloved mother were tenderly consigned to God's Acre by the friends of a lifetime and the mound above her was banked with the floral offerings that spoke mutely of the esteem in which she was held by all.

In addition to the children, namely, W. 0. Victor of Uvalde, Mrs. Maggie Moore of Wharton, R. P. Watts of Wichita Falls, Mrs. Jennie Bolton of Wharton and Calloway Watts of Houston, Mrs. Watts is survived by her brothers, Rev. J. J.B. Armstrong of Kyle and R. A. Armstrong of this city; 20 grandchildren and seven great-granchildren.





This page transcribed by Janet Barrett Hobizal in June 2007,

From a photo copy found at the Wharton County Historical Museum

Wharton Journal Newspaper


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