Mrs. Mary Watts' Obituary
Mrs. Mary Watts (nee Mims) passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at the age of 98. She is survived by her son, Talmage Mims Watts, and daughter-in-law, Debbie Greenspan Watts, who were at her side when she passed. She also is survived by two sisters Margaret Elizabeth (DeGeorge) and Kathleen (Signaigo), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mrs. Watts was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Oscar Watts, her parents, Talmage and Virgie Elizabeth Mims (nee Graham), two sisters, Hazel (Halcomb) and Esta Graham (Lehman), and her brother James Rodney Mims.
Born in Hustburg, Tennessee in 1917, Mrs. Watts had a long and well-lived life serving her family, community, and church. She was a resident of Inglewood and a sustaining member of Eastminster United Presbyterian Church (previously Russell Street Presbyterian Church) for more than 70 years. After graduating from Central High School in Nashville, she further educated herself with courses at Watkins Institute, UT Nashville, and Travecca Nazarene College. She was proud of her work as a secretary, having worked at Fort Belvoir during WWII and subsequently in Nashville for Judge Swiggert and businesses including the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway, where she met her husband-to-be. For many years she served as the secretary for Eastminster church. After the death of her husband in 1969, she earned certification as a professional secretary and in 1972 became a member of The National Secretaries Association (International). Thereafter, until her retirement in 1988, she worked as the executive secretary for Thomas Potter at the United Methodist Publishing House.
Mary had a great love for natural beauty, trees in particular. After her retirement she became a bonsai enthusiast, amassing more than 50 bonsai, which she nurtured daily. She always devoted herself to helping others, especially her husband and mother during extended periods of illness and incapacity. Even during the final year of her life at Lakeshore the Meadows nursing facility she was always asking if she could be of help to the staff and other residents. In addition to the nursing and activities staffs at the Meadows, Talmage and Debbie are most grateful to the many friends, neighbors, and family members who afforded to their mother countless generous acts of kindness over the years and in her time of need. She is now at peace.
The family will receive visitors at Spring Hill Funeral Home, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN, on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and immediately preceding the funeral service, which will be at Spring Hill Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. A graveside service will follow immediately thereafter at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Mary’s memory to the Ebenezer Cemetery Association, c/o Eddie Breeden, 496 Hickman Road, New Johnsonville, TN 37134, which maintains the cemetery at Ebenezer United Methodist Church where her beloved Papa and Mama, Talmage and Virgie Mims, are interred. In the alternative please make a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or another charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee, 37216. (615) 865-1101 www.springhillfh.com
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