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ethel robinson watts battle

1909-2001

Life Story

Ethel Robinson Watts Battle was born in Newton County, Mississippi, to Emanuel Robinson (1876-1968) and Ada Louise Nichols (1885-1968). Around the age of 18, she married Maston, also known as Mack, Watts (1908-1975), and from that union, seven children were born. Their children were as follows:

  • Thomas Jefferson (T.J.) Watts (1928-2013)
  • Opal Watts (1930-?)
  • Melva Watts (1933-?)
  • Earl Lee Watts (1934-?)
  • Carl Lee Watts (1934-1993)
  • Callie Mae Watts (1935-?)
  • Eximae Watts (1938-?)

By 1940, Ethel and Maston had separated. For a time, Ethel left town, entrusting the care of her young children to her oldest son, T.J. By 1950, she had returned to Newton, remarried Willie Battle, and found employment as a cook at a boarding house.

At the age of 91, on September 21, 2001, Ethel passed away after spending several months as a resident at ConvaRest Nursing Home. Funeral services were conducted at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where she was a dedicated member. Rev. Michael Pickens officiated the services. In 1921, she joined Corinth M.B. Baptist Church, where her family were longtime members, later transferring her membership to Pleasant Grove by Christian experience.

Preceding her in death were her brother Gene Robinson and sisters Mattie Mae Robinson and Cleo Robinson. Ethel’s obituary does not specify her burial location. It is assumed she was laid to rest in the Corinth M.B. Church graveyard, as both of her husbands are interred there, and it is in the community where she grew up, alongside other relatives.

Resting Place

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard

Photos/Albums

Ethel Robinson Watts Battle
Ethel Robinson Watts Battle 1909-2001
Left is Ethel Robinson and Right is Mattie Mae Robinsons - Sisters
Left is Ethel Robinson and Right is Mattie Mae Robinsons – Sisters

Sources

  • 1910 Federal Census
  • 1920 Federal Census
  • 1930 Federal Census
  • 1940 Federal Census
  • 1950 Federal Census
  • Personal Knowledge
  • Ancestry.com
  • The Newton Record, Willie Battle Obituary, Wed, Feb 19, 1986 ·Page 10
  • Sun Herald, Carl L. Watts Obituary, Fri, Jul 16, 1993 ·Page 2
  • The Newton Record, Ethel Battle Obituary, Wed, Oct 03, 2001 ·Page 20
  • Scott County Times, Ethel Battle Obituary, Wed, Oct 10, 2001 ·Page 2
  • The Newton Record, Newton Hospital, Wed, Aug 25, 1965 ·Page 5
  • U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
  • U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
  • U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

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