Mary Etta (Kizer) Watson

© Kathy Duncan, 2015

Mary E. Kizer, daughter of Sarah Catherine (Renfro) and Jerry M. Kizer, was 4 August 1879 in Texas and died 4 September 1973 in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. She married Enos Albert Watson 3 Jan 1897 Delta Co., Texas. Enos Albert Watson, born 26 October 1874 in Delta County, Texas, was the son of John Thomas and Piety Watson. After the death of his father, Piety Watson married Joseph D. Renfro, grandfather of Mary E. Kizer. For seven to eight years, Enos lived in the same household with Joseph D. Renfro. Enos would have been 14-15 years old when his step-father died. After the death of Joseph D. Renfro in 1887 or 1888, Piety married L.B. Herren in 1888. Enos Albert Watson died April 1942 in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. Both Mary Etta (Kizer) and Enos Albert Watson are buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Cooper, Delta County, Texas.

22 April 1910, Cooper, Delta County, Texas:

192-202
Watson, Eones A. Head M W 39 M-1 13 b. TX fb. TN mb. TN superintendent county schools
-----Kizer Wife F W 32 M-1 13 4-4 b. TX mb. TX fb. TN
-----Mamie dau F W 9 S b. TX fb. TX mb. TX
-----Morris son M W 6 S b. TX fb. TX mb. TX
-----Harry son M W 5 S b. TX fb. TX mb. TX
-----Louis son M W 2/12 b. TX fb. TX mb. TX

By 1918 the couple was living in Fisher County, Texas:

Enos Albert Watson  of Rotan, Fisher County, Texas, b. 26 Oct 1874, lawyer, contact: Mary Etta Watson
[Source: WWI registration card]

9 Jan 1920, Roby, Fisher County, Texas:

71-74
Watson, E.A. Head M W 47 M b. TX fb. US mb. US lawyer
-----Etta Wife F W 41 M b. TX fb. TX mb. TN
-----Mamie Dau F W 19 S b.TX fb. TX mb. TX stenographer
-----Morris Son M W 16 S b. TX fb. TX mb. TX

Judge Watson Has Automobile Accident

While coming into Snyder last Saturday morning on his way from Hermleigh, the car in which Judge E.A. Watson, wife and baby were riding, collide with another car. While none of them were seriously injured, they were fortunate in escaping a serious injury, Judge Watson said.

Judge Watson was hurt slightly about the chest, Mrs. Watson received a sight cut and the baby received a slight cut about the face. The car had to undergo considerable repairs.
[The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 3 June 1927]

The baby mentioned in this article is probably Morris G. Watson, Jr., their grandson. Morris G. Watson seems to have spent most of his childhood with his grandparents.

Watson Home Burns

The Judge E.A. Watson home on College avenue was destroyed by fire last Friday night. Judge Watson was away from home at the time of fire. Mrs. Watson and "Sonny" were awakened about 1:30 o'clock at night when the home was full of smoke and the alarm was turned in. Origin of the fire is unknown. It was partially covered by insurance.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County; Fri 14 March 1930]

Card of Thanks

We sincerely thank all who so faithfully assisted in the saving of our household goods and furniture in the recent fire and all who by words and acts contributed to our comort. We also extend our appreciation to the Fire Boys who so faithfully performed their duty. We know, no city has as efficient a volunteer fire department.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Watson
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County; Fri 14 March 1930]

18 April 1930, Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas:

67 - 73
Watson, Enos A Head M W 55 M 23 b. TX fb. NC mb. TN attorney
-----Mary E Wife 49 M 18 b. TX fb. TX mb. TN
-----Morris G Jr. grandson M W 7 S b. TX fb. TX mb. TX
Mary Etta Kizer b. 4 Aug 1879 in Texas ; d. 4 Sept 1973 in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. Widow: Watson. Father: Jerry Kizer. Mother: Sarah Catherine Renfroe. Informant: Mrs. Mamie Bruce (daughter). Burial: Oaklawn Cem., Cooper, Delta County, Texas, 5 Sept 1973
[Source: death certificate]

23 April 1940; Raton, Fisher County, Texas:

253
Watson, Morris G Head M W 36 M grade: C-3 b. TX 1935 res: same place
-----May L Wife F W 36 M grade: C-3 b. TX 1935 res: same place
-----Reva Joe Dau F W 5 b. TX 1935 res: same place
-----Jim A. Son M W 1 S b. TX 1935 res: same place

Judge Watson's Brother-In-Law Died on Sunday

J.H. Terry, brother-in-law of Judge E.A. Watson, his sister's husband died at his home in Wichita Falls Sunday, March 8, very suddenly. Funeral services were held up Wednesday for the arrival of the eldest son. Judge and Mrs. Watson went there Sunday for the funeral, returning home Wednesday afternoon.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 20 March 1942]

A Visit With Jerry M. Kizer Shortly Before His Death:

Judge and Mrs. E.A. Watson returned home last Tuesday from a holiday visit with their daughter, Mrs. Mamie Watson Jeffreys of Dallas, and with Mrs. Watson's father at Cooper. Their grandson Morris Watson, Jr., student at Rice Institute, Houston, met them in Dallas.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 9 Jan 1942]

Mrs. E.A. Watson's Father Died At Cooper

Jerry M. Kizer, 88, father of Mrs. E.A. Watson of this city, died at his home in Cooper Saturday, January 31. Judge and Mrs. Watson had a telegram late Friday that he was not expected to live. They left here Friday night for Cooper.

Mrs. Watson is the only living child. He had five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon and he was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery at Cooper.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 6 Feb 1942]

Morris G. Watson Jr., son of Morris Watson, continued to make his home with his grandparents, Mary Etta (Kizer) and E.A. Watson:

Morris G. Watson, recently returned from six month in New Guinea, is now at home in Crosbyton with his grandparents, Judge and Mrs. E.A. Watson.

Morris spent three years in armed services as a radio technician and now has an honorable discharge. He plans to enter the University in Tucson, Arizona, on January 1st, where he will major in electrical engineering.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 21 Sept 1945]

Mr. and Mrs. Morris Watson, Sr. and children, Reba Jo and Jim of Roby, visited their parents, Judge and Mrs. E.A. Watson and Morris Watson, Jr. last week in Crosbyton.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 30 Nov 1945]

Judge and Mrs. E.A. Watson and grandson Morris Watson visited over the weekend with son and father, Morris G. Watson and family at Roby.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review, Crosbyton, Crosby County Texas; Fri. 21 Dec 1945]

Obituaries for Enos Albert Watson:

County Attorney Watson Is Buried In Old Home County

One of the largest crowds ever at attend a funeral service in Crosbyton gathered at the First Methodist church Tuesday afternoon as a testimonial to the regard for Judge Enos Albert Watson, who died in a Lubbock hospital Monday morning at 11 o'clock.

Judge Watson, county attorney for Crosby County for the last five years, had been ill for several weeks, having spent his last two weeks in the hospital. Born October 26, 1973 [sic], in Delta County, Texas, he was past 72.

A friend of 40 years standing, Rev. H. Hall of Ralls, brought the message at the funeral service in Crosbyton. Rev. Hall had officiated for Judge Watson's step-father and later for his mother some 30 years ago. Rev. Hall was assisted Tuesday afternoon by Elder Tommie Dunn of the Ralls Primitive Baptist church and Attorney Loyd A. Wicks of Ralls, the latter as a fellow member of the bar.

Burial was scheduled at Cooper, in Delta County, late Wednesday with the Masonic lodge in charge. District Attorney Burton Burks of Lubbock was to be master of ceremonies, with several members of Crosbyton's Masonic lodge assisting, along with member of the Delta lodge.

Judge Watson had led a long and useful life, beginning as a school teacher. He was elected as the first county superintendent of Delta County, later moving to Snyder where he taught school several years before entering the legal profession. He moved to Ft. Worth for the practice of law, but came to Crosby County in 1924 and had since lived here. He was a member of the First Christian church in Fort Worth and kept his membership there as there was no church here of that denomination. However, he was a trustee of property held in Crosbyton by that church.

The late attorney was married Jan. 3, 1897 to Miss Mary Etta Kizer. Two children survive, one being attorney Morris Watson of Rotan and the other being Mrs. Mamie Bruce of Lubbock. He also is survived by three grandchildren, Morris Jr., now in the University of Arizona, and Roba Jo and Jim W. of Rotan.

Judge Watson was a humanitarian and a keen student of the problems of youth an dthe underprivileged, Attorney W. P. Walker of Crosbyton, said in a tribute paid him at the weekly meeting of the Crosbyton Lions club Wednesday.

[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 1 March 1946]

Watson Burial
The late attorney was married Jan. 3, 1897 to Miss Mary Etta Kizer. Two children survive, one being attorney Morris Watson of Rotan and the other being Mrs. Mamie Bruce of Lubbock. He also is survived by three grandchildren, Morris Jr., now in the University of Arizona, and Roba Jo and Jim W. of Rotan.

Judge Watson was a humanitarian and a keen student of the problems of youth an dthe underprivileged, Attorney W. P. Walker of Crosbyton, said in a tribute paid him at the weekly meeting of the Crosbyton Lions club Wednesday.
[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 1 March 1946]

Cooper--Cooper Masonic Lodge conducted committal service here Wednesday afternoon in Oaklawn Cemetery for a former member, Enos Albert Watson, who died at home in Crosbyton. He was Delta County's first school superintendent, and married a daughter of Bud Kizer. He was about 70 years old.

[Source: The Paris News; Paris, Lamar County, Texas; 28 Feb 1946]

Card of Thanks

This expression of our thanks for your kindness and condolences in the death of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, E.A. Watson, comes from sorrowing and grieved hearts greatly comforted by all of you his friends and our friends.

Mrs. E.A. Watson

Mrs. Mamie W. Bruce and husband W.W. Bruce

Morris G. Watson and wife, Mae Watson

Morris G. Watson, Jr. 

Reva Jo Watson

James Albert Watson

[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas, Fri 15 March 1946]

To the Clients of E.A. Watson Deceased

My fathers files are now in my office at Roby. I expect to complete any unfinished business and to return to you any valuable papers left with him. This is impossible without your help--if you will call me or write me I'll do my best to finish the job the way he would have had he lived.

Morris G. Watson

Attorney at Law

P.O. Box 445

Roby, Texas

[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas, Fri 15 March 1946]

After E.A. Watson's death, Mary Etta and grandson Morris G. Watson Jr. moved to Rotan in Fisher County, Texas:

Mrs. E.A. Watson has purchased a home in Rotan, and she and her grandson, Morris Watson, jr., plan to move there in the near future. Her son and family, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Watson sr., and children, already live in Rotan.

[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 27 June 1947]

Mrs. E.A. Watson, of Rotan, was attending to business and visiting with friends in Crosybton Monday. Morris Watson, jr., student at Texas Tech, had spent the week-end with his father and grandmother, and Mrs. Watson took him back to Lubbock.

[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 27 Feb 1948]

Lost History! We're Hunting One About Delta County

Lost: One history of Delta County.

It's a rather valuable history book--at least to one person, Mrs. E.A. Watson of Rotan. It has been owned by the family for a long time, and she would like very much to find it.

"I loaned it to someone in Crosbyton," Mrs. Watson told T.E. Johnson who visited in Rotan last week-end, "And I have forgotten whom I loaned it to."

Mr. Johnson, who works at Reeves "66" Station, said that he would be glad to send the book to Mrs. Watson if someone in Crosbyton has it or knows where it can be found.

[Source: The Crosbyton Review; Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas; Fri 22 July 1949]

The book that Mary Etta was trying to recover was probably Loose Leaves: A History of Delta County by Ikie Gray Patterson, which had been published in 1935. The book would have probably been acquired after their house was destroyed by fire in 1930.

Death Certificate for Mary Etta (Kizer) Watson:

Mary Etta Kizer b. 4 Aug 1879 in Texas ; d. 4 Sept 1973 in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. Widow: Watson. Father: Jerry Kizer. Mother: Sarah Catherine Renfroe. Informant: Mrs. Mamie Bruce (daughter). Burial: Oaklawn Cem., Cooper, Delta County, Texas, 5 Sept 1973

[Source: death certificate]

Evidently, Mary Etta (Kizer) Watson was living near or with her daugthter Mamie (Watson) Bruce at the time of her death.

Children of Enos Albert and Mary Etta (Kizer) Watson:

1. Mamie Watson
2. Morris Watson
3. Harry Watson
4. Louis Watson

Last updated on August 9, 2015