Marinell Watts

Marinell Watts, 67, died Monday, May 14, 2012, surrounded by family and friends in Abilene, Texas, after battling ovarian cancer. Funeral services, with Bill Luttrell and Terry Brown officiating, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Hillcrest Church of Christ. Burial will follow at the Dudley Cemetery in Dudley, Texas. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Tuesday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Born in Beeville, Texas on August 14, 1944, Marinell was the daughter of Robert and Estacia (Morgan) Mason. She was raised in Jacksonville, Texas and moved to Abilene in 1962 to attend Abilene Christian College where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Education. She then attended Southern Methodist University where she received a Master's degree. May 28, 1965, Marinell married James Wallace Watts in Abilene, Texas. She taught in the Littlefield, Richardson, and Abilene Independent School Districts for 27 years. Marinell was an active member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ, a compassionate prison chaplain volunteer, and a long time Meals on Wheels volunteer. Marinell was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her husband, Jim Watts, of Abilene; three children all of Abilene; Paul Watts and wife Susan; Heather Tidmore and husband Taylor; Holly Grant and husband Ben; eight grandchildren; Mitchell, Nathan, Anna, Kate, Mason, Will, Allie, and Ava. Pallbearers will be Glenn Heatherly, Ed Mathews, Randy Becton, Jack Wilson, Bill Spann, Jerry Harris, Don Drennan and Mark Tucker. Memorials may be made in honor of Marinell Watts to Meals on Wheels Inc., P.O. Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604; or Jeremiah's Hope, P.O. Box 3411 Abilene, TX 79604.