Barbara Watts
April 2, 1931 - June 1, 2023
Barbara Watts passed from this world to spirit on June 1, 2023. She was 92.
Born in Kansas, April 2, 1931, Barbara endured a childhood marked by tragedy and difficulty. She found comfort, security, peace, and a best friend, when she married Billy Duane Watts. Together, they spent a lifetime as missionaries in the United States and New Zealand.
Money was scarce, but love overflowed. The Watts home was filled with laughter, lively conversation, the intoxicating aroma of Barbara’s cooking, and lots of guests. Raising six children on a missionary’s salary tested Barbara’s ingenuity and creativity. She was up to the challenge. Sewing clothes from donated fabrics, planting gardens that became the most beautiful in the neighborhood and coaxing delicious flavor from the simplest ingredients.
Living in New Zealand for more than 15 years, Barbara fell in love with tea, biscuits, and the outdoors. Upon returning permanently to the United States, Bill and Barbara opened “Grandma’s Kitchen” bakery and fine foods in Atwater, California. She became known for candies, pies, and pastries, selling to Ritz Carlton hotels, Williams Sonoma, and other retailers.
Bill and Barbara continued to work as missionaries until Bill was diagnosed with dementia. They enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage and were partners in life, love, hardship, work, joy, and faith.
It is hard to sum up a life in just a few words. How do you explain a person’s unique mark on the world? Perhaps, for Barbara, it is best seen in her children. All six children-Cynthia, Claudia, Letia, Douglass, Antony, and Melinda- live a life of faith, and service. They are living proof that
Barbara overcame hardship, through God’s grace.
When all is said and done, it matters not what a person accumulates in this world. A life well lived is a life well lived. But a life lived for eternity, is a life eternal.
Barbara’s spirit is at peace, and she rests.
On behalf of Barbara, the family would like to thank SSM Hospice and Albany Oaks for their kindness and service during these final days.
A memorial service is set for 11:30 am, June 30 at Church of Christ, 4248 HWY 431, Pottsville, TN, 38401.
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Condolences can be sent to the family at:
The Watts Family
c/o Claudia Wilson
W8247 County Road P
Browntown, WI. 53522
In lieu of flowers, Barbara’s children ask that you donate to your church, or someone in need.
“I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 4
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25:36-40