Anna Lee Watts

Anna Lee (Cooper) Watts, 97, was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was called home by our Lord on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs in Boerne, Texas, after battling Alzheimers for nearly 5 years.

Anna was born on December 8, 1924 and was the only child and cherished daughter of Lester and Helen (Bryant) Cooper of Whitley City, Kentucky. She grew up in this rural town surrounded by her loving extended family and the beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

She came from hard working families with little money that influenced her dedicated and dependable work ethic. Her father worked as a teacher and school administrator in the McCreary County school system. Her paternal grandfather was a coal miner and County Jailer. Several other relatives also worked in the area coal mines. Her mothers parents operated a small general store along a rail line in Greenwood, Kentucky.

Anna was a dedicated student and graduated as valedictorian from McCreary Co. High School. She went on to train as a lab technician at nearby Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky. While studying in Louisville, Kentucky, she met her future husband, Charles C. Watts, Jr. They married in 1944 and he later became a physician and Colonel in the Air Force.

Anna lived a full and wonderful life as a wife, mother, and homemaker. She and Charles raised their four sons in the states of Kentucky, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio and Texas. Wherever stationed, she lovingly settled their home, made new friends, and learned the culture of their new location. Upon Charles retirement from the Air Force in 1965, he entered private practice as a radiologist and the family settled in San Antonio.

As the family grew with new daughters-in-law, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, she welcomed each new gift with great joy. Grandmom delighted in attending her grandchildrens birthday parties, sports events, concerts, graduations and sleepovers at her home and theirs.

Anna loved her God, Savior and family, instilling in her sons and their families her strong faith and family values. She practiced this through a servants heart and faithful membership at Manor Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in San Antonio. She taught childrens Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and prepared meals for senior adults through Jefferson Co-Op. She lovingly participated in outreach ministries to the sick, homebound and homeless. She also enjoyed attending womens Bible studies and ladies retreats at Alto Frio, Laity Lodge, Mo Ranch and Bible Study Fellowship in Dallas.Anna had a heart for Missions. She faithfully prayed for and financially supported home and world missionaries. Throughout her life, she also ministered to neighbors, friends and family with meals, flowers, bedside care and rides to church and appointments. She also used the gift of hospitality to open her home to visiting international missionaries and sometimes invited airmen for holiday meals that were away from their homes and families. She was a powerful prayer warrior and diligent Bible student. After becoming a widow, she immersed herself in Bible Study Fellowship which became an important part of her life. She was a dedicated class member, children's leader, discussion leader and volunteered countless hours at the Bible Study Fellowship Headquarters kitchen and press room. There she prepared and served meals and also packed lessons to be shipped around the country and world.

Annas kitchen was the heart of her home. Holidays were a special time for her and her sons families. All eagerly awaited visiting her and sharing in her holiday meals, baked cookies and candies. Her holiday tables were graced with beauty and bounty and were a glimpse of the Lords banquet table where all who have trusted Jesus as Savior will gather together one glorious day.

Plants flourished under her care. Family members would receive starter plants from her, but theirs never matched the vibrance and beauty of her plants. She used her floral talents to rearrange and deliver sanctuary flowers to those in need at home and in hospitals. She loved the beauty of nature and enjoyed taking Sunday drives with Charles and the family. She especially enjoyed trips into the Hill Country looking for bluebonnets and spotting deer.

Anna was adventurous and loved to travel. Later in life, she visited places such as the Holy Land, England, Germany, Austria, Alaska and others. She traveled to Yellowstone and the Tetons and ventured with her older sons on trips to spot bear, elk and moose. She made many trips to Disney World with her sons families and enjoyed being with her grandchildren as they vacationed at the parks. For many years, she and Charles took the family on a yearly summer trip to visit their parents and relatives in Kentucky. Locally, she made numerous trips with family to Padre Island. She enjoyed swimming, making sandcastles and especially loved beachcombing in search of shells and oddities that had washed on shore. No one rose earlier than Anna in the morning; she was always first on the beach to look for elusive sand dollars and crucifix fish which held special meaning to her.

She had a strong, sensitive, and comforting soul. Upon having to reside in her later years at Morningside at Menger Springs in Boerne, she once eased her sons apprehension about her situation with the few simple words that she was able to say, "Do not cry for me, I know I am, where I should be".

Anna is now "where she should be", in heaven with Jesus her Savior, and with her family and friends. We all have been blessed by God for having her in our lives as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, relative or friend. We will miss her dearly until our time comes, when we as believers, will reunite with her in heaven.

Anna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Charles C. Watts, Jr., MD in 1980. She was a dedicated mother who treasured her four sons, their wives and families. Anna is survived by William M. and Donna Watts of San Antonio, Texas, Barry K. and Julia Watts of Fort Worth, Texas, Charles C. and Maria Watts of Pflugerville, Texas, and David C. and Missy Watts of Fort Worth, Texas. Anna is also survived by her eight grandchildren that include Matthew and Katie Watts of Orlando, Florida, Erin and Wes Stecker of Gilbert, Arizona, Jon Watts of Oak Ridge, North Carolina, Katy and Matt Ridgway of Georgetown, Texas, Beth and Keith Fletcher of Fort Worth, Texas, Victoria and Dustin Smith of San Antonio, Texas, Phillip Watts of Pflugerville, Texas and Kristen Watts of Fort Worth, Texas, 13 great-grandchildren, and a niece, Susan Holmes and family of Louisville, Kentucky and nephew, Bradley Watts and family of Louisville, Kentucky.

FAMILY GRAVESIDE SERVICE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

10:30 A.M.

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

"Well done good and faithful servant! Come into your eternal rest." Matthew 25: 23, 34

Please click here to join the Family Gravside Service via livestream.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Childrens Ministries at First Baptist Church of San Antonio, Bible Study Fellowship, or the Covenant Fund at Morningside Ministries.

Thank You

Our family wishes to acknowledge with the deepest of appreciation the many expressions of love, kindness and concerns you have shown to us. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Additionally, our family wishes to sincerely thank the entire Cibolo House staff for your selfless care and dedicated support of our Mom. You went so far above and beyond to make her life enjoyable. May the Lord bless you