Obituary for Nancy Beatrice "Scriven" Watts
Mrs. Nancy B. Scriven Watts transitioned peacefully to her new home with the Lord, with her family at her side, at the age of 101 on Monday, October 19, 2020. She was the second of three children born to Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Edith Scriven on January 12, 1919 in Dorchester, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Russell N. Watts, her sister, Mrs. Valarie Scriven Witherspoon, her brother, Theodore E. Scriven, sister-in-law, Emily Scriven and grandson, Ronald Watts.
Mrs. Watts and her parents moved to Jacksonville, Fl when she was five years old. She attended the local public schools, graduating from Old Stanton High School. She continued her education at Edward Waters College and graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She earned the master’s degree as she later attended Atlanta University, Howard University and the District of Columbia Teachers College.
Her first teaching assignment was in Philamonth, Georgia, where she taught grades 1 – 8. She was the only teacher at the one-room schoolhouse. She later taught in Midway, Florida where she taught English and Social Studies. She returned to Jacksonville where she taught at A. L. Lewis Junior High School and was selected Teacher of the Year. While at A. L Lewis she organized the new reformed Physical Education Program. She also taught at James Weldon Johnson Junior High School and served on the first faculty of New Stanton High School. She married Russell N. Watts and moved to Washington, D. C. where she lived and taught for many years.
Not only was Nancy a proud member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church (USA), she was also the oldest and held the longest membership in the church. She was one of the organizers of the first Usher Board, served as Sunday School and Bible Study teacher, sang with the Rutledge Pearson Youth Choir and was active with the Seniors and Retirees Organization during her years of membership. On the occasion of her centennial birthday, a grand celebration was hosted for her by former student, Mr. Henry Gardner (Oakland, CA) and his siblings. She was a lifetime member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Mrs. Watts is survived by her daughter, Debra L. Watts, grandson, Jason Watts, nieces, Edith B. Witherspoon, Zebrena Demps (Eugene), Dr. Barbara Darby (John), Tamara Witherspoon, Bertha Ripley, Laurena Carter, Gwen Davis, Theresa Thomas, nephews, Thomas E. Witherspoon, Sr., Thomas E. Witherspoon, Jr., (Melesa), Thomas E. Witherspoon, III, Charles Harris (Edith), god sister, Betty Preston (Frederick), other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Watts and her parents moved to Jacksonville, Fl when she was five years old. She attended the local public schools, graduating from Old Stanton High School. She continued her education at Edward Waters College and graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She earned the master’s degree as she later attended Atlanta University, Howard University and the District of Columbia Teachers College.
Her first teaching assignment was in Philamonth, Georgia, where she taught grades 1 – 8. She was the only teacher at the one-room schoolhouse. She later taught in Midway, Florida where she taught English and Social Studies. She returned to Jacksonville where she taught at A. L. Lewis Junior High School and was selected Teacher of the Year. While at A. L Lewis she organized the new reformed Physical Education Program. She also taught at James Weldon Johnson Junior High School and served on the first faculty of New Stanton High School. She married Russell N. Watts and moved to Washington, D. C. where she lived and taught for many years.
Not only was Nancy a proud member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church (USA), she was also the oldest and held the longest membership in the church. She was one of the organizers of the first Usher Board, served as Sunday School and Bible Study teacher, sang with the Rutledge Pearson Youth Choir and was active with the Seniors and Retirees Organization during her years of membership. On the occasion of her centennial birthday, a grand celebration was hosted for her by former student, Mr. Henry Gardner (Oakland, CA) and his siblings. She was a lifetime member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Mrs. Watts is survived by her daughter, Debra L. Watts, grandson, Jason Watts, nieces, Edith B. Witherspoon, Zebrena Demps (Eugene), Dr. Barbara Darby (John), Tamara Witherspoon, Bertha Ripley, Laurena Carter, Gwen Davis, Theresa Thomas, nephews, Thomas E. Witherspoon, Sr., Thomas E. Witherspoon, Jr., (Melesa), Thomas E. Witherspoon, III, Charles Harris (Edith), god sister, Betty Preston (Frederick), other relatives and friends.