Emerald Ardella Watts, 90

Emerald Ardella Watts passed away July 2, 2009, at the age of 90, at the Mescalero Care Center in Mescalero, New Mexico. She was born Emerald A. Luce on December 20, 1918 to Walter B. and Erma L. (Smith) Luce in Hayfield, Minnesota.
Emerald lived most of her formative years on the farm in Plainfield, IL. For two years she rode her pony several miles to school every day while she attended rural school. She was reared in the Evangelical Church where she was baptized by immersion in the Dupage River at the age of eleven.
Emerald attended North Central College in Naperville, IL, getting a two year teaching certificate. She then taught rural school near Joliet, IL., all grades. She also taught at a rural school near Tolono, IL., to be near her parents.
In 1945, she left Illinois to drive to California where she met the love of her fife, Ray Watts. They married in 1946 in Tolono, IL. Emerald taught school the Jurupa School District, in Rubidoux, CA for 22 years until her retirement in 1975.
Ray and Emerald spent a very happy retirement traveling to visit relatives and taking vacations all around the United States. In 1997 they relocated to Alamogordo, New Mexico where they remained until their deaths.
Emerald would like to be remembered as a Christian woman who helped others. Church was always a very important part of her life. She made God the center of her life; and He fulfilled her life by granting her a happy marriage of 59 years, and allowing her to enjoy her children and grandchildren and do His work.
She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband Ray in 2005, her parents and her sister, Ardyth.
Emerald is survived by her children, Judy Gillett and husband Glenn, of Mayhill, NM; and her son, Jerry and wife Betty of Bellflower, CA.. Also surviving her are seven grandchildren, David Amelung of TX; Sharon Amelung of AZ; Glenna Parham of TX; Jackie Darnold, Andrea Silva; and Michele Sachen of New Mexico. She is also survived by 15 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, July 10, 2009 at the Cloudcroft United Methodist Church at 10:00 am, with Dr. Ran Loy, and Rev. Dick Richards officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sacramento Methodist Assembly for the columbarium project. Please make donations to Sacramento Methodist Assembly in memory of Emerald Watts, PO Box 8, Sacramento, NM 88347. Emerald and Ray will be inurned at the Assembly at a later time.

Direct Cremation will take place under the care of PCS Direct Cremation Services.