Mary Frances “Sarty” Watson, 100, passed away at her home on July 27, 2016. She was born April 21, 1916, in Rockett, Texas, the youngest of nine children born to Wade Hampton and Leila Frances (Prude) Clopton. Her parents named her Mary Frances, but her brother Pete dubbed her “Sarty,” his toddler version of “Sweetheart,” and she was known by that name for all of her 100 years. Her eight siblings were Clarence, Robert, James, Sidney, Irene, Ned, Mae and Pete.
Sarty attended Rockett schools but spent her senior year at Waxahachie High School. She was an excellent student and natural athlete. Sarty played basketball for Waxahachie and played on the boy’s baseball team at Rockett. She was also fearless, winning a season pass for the Loma Linda swimming pool for being the only girl to dive head first off the high diving board. She graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1932.
In 1934, Sarty married her sweetheart, Roy Erskine Watson, to whom she was married for more than 65 years, until his death in 2000. They moved to a farm south of Ennis in 1946, where they raised their five children – Patsy, Mike, Pete, Vicki and Cindy – in the Oak Grove Community. In addition to farming their own land, they baled hay for neighbors and were known for making delicious pork sausage. Sarty was also known as a wonderful cook and prolific seamstress. She made clothes for her children and beautiful quilts. Her favorite role was being a mother and teacher to her children. Sarty was always involved in their activities, serving in every role from room mother to PTA president and active in 4-H and Band Boosters.
In the 1960’s, Roy and Sarty owned Bluebonnet City Feed and Seed in Ennis, where Sarty indulged her love of animals. She was known for her raccoons and squirrels and other creatures that she shared with the community. After they retired, Roy and Sarty enjoyed traveling around the United States in their van. Sarty also treasured her trips with her children to Hawaii and Europe.
Sarty was blessed throughout her life with excellent health and was able to stay in her own home until her death. Special thanks for their help in making that possible over the last few years goes to Family First Hospice and Carolyn Burrington, Julia Bottley, and especially Melinda Stewart.
Sarty was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband, and her son Mike in 1970. She is survived by her children and their spouses – Patsy and Allen Goss of Ennis, Pete and Rhonda Watson of Ennis, Vicki Watson of Missoula, Montana, and Cindy and Don Hellstern of Ennis. She is also survived by her grandchildren – Angie Newman of Ennis, Chris Hellstern of Seattle, Washington, and Patrick Watson of Urbana, Illinois- and her great-grandchildren-Jackson Andrews of Ennis, Asher Watson of Urbana, Illinois, and Charlotte Hellstern of Seattle, Washington. She is also survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Kathryn Clopton of Rockett.
Visitation will be held at the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis beginning at noon, Saturday, July 30, 2016 until 1 p.m.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Myrtle Cemetery with Dr. Larry Jinks officiating under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.
