priscilla Haney watts
1922-1982
Life Story
A Life of Faith, Family, and Quiet Strength in Newton County
Early Life and Family Roots
Priscilla Haney Watts—affectionately known as “Aunt Honey” to those who loved her—was born Fannie Mae Haney on September 24, 1922, in Harrison County, Mississippi. Though records vary slightly, this date aligns closely with available documentation.
She was the daughter of George Haney, Jr. and Carrie Miller Haney, and one of several children raised in a large, close-knit family. Her siblings included John L., Theodore, Louis, Odelia, Maybell, and Mattie Lois, forming a household that reflected the strength and interdependence of Black families in early twentieth-century Mississippi.
Priscilla’s childhood was shaped by both love and loss. In 1929, when she was only about seven years old, her mother Carrie passed away—a moment that undoubtedly altered the course of her young life. By 1930, she was living in Newton, Mississippi, in her father’s household, where the family continued to persevere.
Despite hardship, education remained important. Census records show that Priscilla was attending school and was able to read and write—an achievement that reflected both family values and the broader push for literacy within Black communities during the Jim Crow era.
Marriage, Motherhood, and Home Life
Priscilla later married Sank Watts, and together they built their life in Newton County, establishing their home along Bethel Road. Their household became a center of family life, grounded in stability, discipline, and care.
Together, they raised four children:
- Sank Watts, Jr.
- Horace Watts
- James Watts
- Catherine Watts
By 1950, Priscilla was recorded as keeping house, a role that extended far beyond domestic work. Like many women of her generation, she functioned as the emotional and structural backbone of the family.
For a brief period during the mid-1950s, the family lived in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Nixon Street—likely part of a broader pattern of temporary movement seen among families seeking economic opportunity along the Gulf Coast. However, Newton remained home, and it was there that Priscilla spent the majority of her life.
Work, Skill, and Community Presence
In addition to her role within the home, Priscilla was known in the community as a hairdresser, providing a vital service that carried both economic and cultural importance.
In Black communities—especially in rural Mississippi—hairdressing was more than an occupation. It was a space of connection, conversation, and care. Through her work, Priscilla helped women maintain dignity and self-presentation in a society that often denied them both. Her hands shaped not only hairstyles, but also moments of fellowship and trust.
Faith and a Life Anchored in the Church
Faith stood at the center of Priscilla’s life. She was a devoted and faithful member of
St. Cloud Missionary Baptist Church, where she served consistently until her passing.
The church was not simply a place of worship—it was the heart of community life. Through it, Priscilla participated in a network of spiritual support, mutual aid, and collective endurance that sustained Black families throughout segregation and beyond.
Her commitment to the church reflects a broader truth: women like Priscilla were often the quiet pillars that kept these institutions alive.
A Moment of Survival (1960)
Priscilla’s life included moments that bordered on the extraordinary. On December 19, 1960, she was involved in a serious accident at the West Church Street railroad crossing in downtown Newton.
Driving her 1960 Oldsmobile, she was struck and dragged by a Gulf, Mobile and Ohio train. The vehicle was reportedly crushed, yet Priscilla survived with no serious injuries.
In a time before modern safety engineering, such survival was remarkable. For those who knew her, it likely reinforced what they already believed—that her life was sustained by both resilience and divine protection.
Legacy, Passing, and Memory
Priscilla Haney Watts passed away on March 1, 1982, in Newton County, Mississippi. While some records note her age differently, she was approximately 61 years old.
Her funeral was held at her beloved church, officiated by Rev. Theron Evans, and she was laid to rest in St. Cloud Cemetery—a resting place shared with others whose lives were deeply tied to the same community.
At the time of her passing, she was the matriarch of a growing family, including nine grandchildren, with relatives spread across Mississippi and beyond—to Michigan, Georgia, and even Hawaii—reflecting the broader migration patterns of the twentieth century.
Her children later published a “Card of Thanks” in The Newton Record, expressing gratitude for the food, flowers, and prayers offered by the community. It was a final public acknowledgment of what her life had clearly demonstrated:
She was loved. She was known. She mattered.
Interpretive Note: Why “aunt Honey” Matters
Nicknames in Black Southern communities often carried deep meaning. To be called “Aunt Honey” was not casual—it signified warmth, kindness, and a nurturing spirit.
Priscilla earned that name not through title or position, but through the way she lived—serving her family, supporting her community, and remaining steady through hardship.
Key Genealogical Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Fannie Mae Haney |
| Known As | Priscilla “Aunt Honey” Watts |
| Birth Date | September 24, 1920 |
| Birthplace | Harrison County, Mississippi |
| Parents | George Haney & Carrie Miller Haney |
| Spouse | Sank Watts |
| Children | Sank Jr., Horace, James, Catherine |
| Occupation | Homemaker; Hairdresser |
| Primary Residence | Newton County, Mississippi |
| Church Affiliation | St. Cloud Missionary Baptist Church |
| Death Date | March 1, 1982 |
| Burial | St. Cloud Cemetery |
Resting Place
Saint Cloud M.B. Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
- Scott County Times, Priscilla Watts Obituary, Wed, Mar 10, 1982 ·Page 11
- U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
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