WALTER RAY WATSON, SR.

The following bio was taken from page 434 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

Walter Ray Watson, Sr., son of J.M. and Myra Whittington Watson, was born January 24, 1871 and died October 16, 1965. He was born in the Peatown community, where he lived his early adulthood and moved to Henderson in 1918. He graduated from Omen Institute at Omen, Texas, where he received his teacher’s certificate. He taught at Crims Chapel, Short Pone (Compton), Farmer’s Institute, Red Level, Peatown, Cross Roads, new Prospect, and Rock Hill. He married Mahala Ann Ballenger in 1900. She was born May 8, 1879 and died November 24, 1958.

The Watsons had four children; Ann Lou Watson, who was born, May 27, 1901 and died in July, 1953. She taught school in Corsicana and in the Dallas School systems

James Blanton Watson, who was born March 22, 1906, served in World War II. He is now self-employed and lives at 904 North Marshall.

Marcus Ballenger Watson, born January 23, 1910, served in World War II. He is presently employed by a local oil company and resides at 904 North Marshall.

Walter Ray Watson, Jr., born July 22, 1917 in Henderson, moved to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1952 but now resides in Tyler, Texas. He is employed by an oil company. They have one son, Walter Scott Watson, who is married to Susan Ann Henry. Walter Scott is a representative of New York Life Insurance Company, and he and his family reside in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Submitted by Mrs. Walter Ray Watson, Jr.