Eleventh Generation

981. Colleen Ellen DELZELL was born on 6 January 1929. She died on 2 August 1972 at the age of 43.²³⁴

1944 Van Buren High School Yearbook, The Pointer
Colleen Delzell pictured with the sophomore class

1945 Van Buren High School Yearbook, The Pointer
Colleen Delzell pictured with the Dramatics Club
"The Dramatics Club has completed a very active schedule this school year. Besides furnishing nine months of classroom study the students have introduced ministers and speakers. They have presented programs in the interest of the Red Cross, Infantile Paralysis Campaign, and War Bond Drives, as well as other programs for the students and the general publis. A number of the students from the class have been heard from week to week on broadcasts from the local radio station."
She was also pictured with the Junior Class and the Choir.

1946 Northside High School, Ft. Smith, Yearbook,The Bruin
Pictured with the Senior Class. Activities: Mixed Chorus, Pep Squad

Northwest Arkansas Times, 12 Jul 1950
14 Students Make Perfect Grades in Arts College.
Perfect grades were made during the University spring semester by 14 students in the College of Arts and Science, Dean G. D. Nichols announced today.
...Northwest Arkansas students on the honor roll were:
Listed among the Juniors, Colleen Ellen Delzell, Van Buren.

Northwest Arkansas Times, Saturday, 12 Aug 1950
Summer Rush Party at Chickenlittle.
A luncheon at Chickenlittle, followed by an afternoon of card and game playing, was given by the Delta Gamma Alumnae and Actives for their rushees Thursday.
.....Delta Gamma member attending ....and Miss Colleen Delzell of Fort Smith

Colleen was married to "Buddy" Watson. They divorced; there were no children.
Marriage License, Benton Co, AR
Amasa Howell Watson Jr of Fayetteville, age 22 to Colleen Ellen Delzell, also of Fayetteville, age 20. License dated 25 Apr 1949.
Marriage Certificate in Washington Co, AR dated 9 May 1949. D. L. Dytes Jr. performed the Ceremony. Recorded Washington Co Book B, p.123, 11 May 1959.
Arkansas County Marriages, 1837-1957, FamilySearch.org Historical Records

Died of alcoholism. Found dead in her home several days after death.
Buried Forest Park Cemetery, Ft. Smith, Sebastian Co, AR

Colleen Ellen DELZELL and Amasa Howell "Buddy" WATSON Jr. were married on 9 May 1949 in Benton County, Arkansas. Amasa Howell "Buddy" WATSON Jr. was born on 24 September 1926. He died on 23 September 2012 at the age of 85.

25 Sept 1944 World War II Draft Registration
Amasa Howell Watson Jr. of 600 N. 34th St., Ft. Smith, Sebastian Co, AR, was age 18, born in Ft. Smith 24 Sep 1926. A. H. Watson, his father, of the same address would always know his address. His employer was L. W. Ballenger, Ballanger Tobacco & Candy Co., Ft. Smith. 5'9" tall, 135 lb. Gray eyes, brown hair.

Buried Ft. Smith Natl. Cemetery, Fort Smith, Sebastian Co, AR.

This is obviously his father:
A. H. "Mace" Watson, Sr.
Amasa Howell Watson, Sr. was born March 15, 1898 at Krebs, Choctaw Indian Territory, the son of Amasa Howell and Frances Margaret Jones Watson. He died Thursday at a local hospital following a short illness. A member of the Choctaw Indian Nation, Mr. Watson moved his wife, Marie, to Fort Smith in the early 1920's. He retired as a bookkeeper from the Fort Smith Paper Company in 1967 and then operated his own small rubber stamp shop until he was forced to quit working at the age of 92. He and Mrs. Watson celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 1993, several months prior to her death. They were both members of the First United Methodist Church, joining in 1927. Mr. Watson was active in the Rogers Bible Class at the church for 50 years and he was a member of the Uplifters Class.
Mr. Watson was an avid golfer and was a regular player until he was 94 years old. He was also active in Masonic orders, being a member of Belle Point Lodge #20 of Fort Smith and Canadian Lodge (Oklahoma) #22. He held the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite and was a 75 year member, a rare distinction of that association.
Mr. Watson lived independently until he was hospitalized September 29th. He was known for his sharp wit, his rare ability for recollection of events and people; and particularly his dry sense of humor. His philosophy included a "need to laugh at least once a day".
Mr. Watson is survived by his son A. H. (Bud) Watson, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Peggy; his daughter, Marjorie Reed and son-in-law, J. Ralph Reed, all of Fort Smith; two step grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren; six nieces and two nephews. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Roebuck Chapel, First United Methodist with Dr. George Ivy officiating. Burial will be at Forest Park Cemetery by Lewis Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Uplifters class. Pallbearers will be Leon Taylor, Ben Bennett, Dick Leavitt, John Beasley, Charles Beasley and Robert Vowell. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist church or Masonic Benevolent Association, P O. box 24, Fort Smith, Ark. 72902
Transcribed by Charlotte Stevens Schneider, 1st cousin twice removed of Amasa Howell Watson, Sr.