The passing of Mrs. Frances Atwater Watson, widow of Dr. N. M. Watson, at her home in Chattanooga on January 5, 1957, was mourned by many in Holston Conference, and particularly by those in St. Andrews Methodist Church, Chattanooga, where she and Dr. Watson had served together for two four-year pastorates and where they had made their church home after his retirement in 1934. Mrs. Watson passed away very suddenly at her home. She had attended an all-day meeting of the Ministers' Wives of the Chattanooga District on January 4th.

The funeral service was conducted at St. Andrews on January 7th by Dr. C. E. Lundy, Dr. W. M. Seymour and Rev. Lon Harmon. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Chattanooga Memorial Park.

Mrs. Watson is survived by two sons, Neill M. Watson, Richmond, Virginia; Francis A. Watson, Chattanooga, Tennessee; one grandson, Neill M. Watson HI, Topeka, Kansas; one granddaughter, Mrs. David M. Graves, Nashville, Tennessee.

Mrs. Watson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Atwater, was born in Chatham County, North Carolina on July 28, 1877. She was educated in the public schools of North Carolina and was a graduate of North Carolina College for Women at Greensboro. She taught for several years in the North Carolina schools.

On December 26, 1900, she and Dr. Watson were married while he was serving as pastor of the University Church at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Following that they served at Grace Church, Wilmington, for four years. In 1908 they came to Holston Conference and served pastorates at Norton, Virginia; Broad Street, Knoxville; St. Andrews, Chattanooga; State Street, Bristol; Wytheville, Virginia; Athens, Tennessee, and as District Superintendent of the Morristown District.

Not only was Mrs. Watson a devoted wife and mother, but in every church which they served, she rendered conspicuous service, always placing service and loyalty to the church first, working faithfully in the Sunday School, the Youth Work, and the Woman's Society of Christian Service. She served as Superintendent of Young Peoples Work in Holston Conference from 1925-27.

At St. Andrews Church where she was a member for thirty-one years, she made a great contribution to the work. In addition to her work with the young people she served as President of Woman's Society of Christian Service for two years, and for many years as co-teacher of the Martha Stamper Bible Class. Her last service here was characteristic of her life of service. For years she devoted much of her time and energy to visiting the sick and aged, and taking them to the services of the church.

To know Mrs. Watson was to love her; being modest and unselfish, gentle and gracious in her manners; admiring the beautiful things of life, centering her thoughts on home first, her Church and others, too.

Mrs. Watson was deeply devoted to the memory of her husband who preceded her in passing, by twenty years. Among her papers was found these words that possibly best illustrate her thoughts:

"I know not how the future Shall change me or surprise, But this will be my heaven. To look into His eyes. To hear again His promise, As he sweetly welcomes me— "Thou art alive forever, alive eternally."

Submitted By: Sara Jacoway - Holston Conference Journal – 1957 - Pages: 254 - 255