MYRTLE
MAE WATKINS Myrtle Mae Watkins, 93, peacefully passed
away on October 14, 2021, at her home in Carrollton, Texas, surrounded
by her loving family. She was the widow of Doyle Watkins with whom she
shared many happy years.
The last of five children, Myrtle was born in Beaumont, Texas, to Alfred
and Elavye duPerier. In addition, to her loving parents, she was
preceded in death by Anna Marie (Sissy), Alfred (Sonny), Dorothy and her
closest brother and sibling, Reagan, whom she was 13 years the younger.
When Myrtle was four years old, she nearly died. Her doctor made house
calls and she often reminisced about their tea parties. To build
strength, she was introduced to dancing, which became a life’s love,
spending many hours at Ms. Judith’s dance studio. Excelling in dance,
she began teaching dance while still a student at Beaumont High.
Myrtle went on to college at St. Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana. Influenced
by Sissy who was a scholar and teacher of history, she studied to become
a teacher specializing in English. She became a talented writer and
enjoyed journalism and poetry. After two years, she moved back closer to
home and studied at The University of Texas in Austin. There she wrote
for the campus paper, The Daily Texan, the most award-winning daily
college newspaper in the United States. She continued her love of dance
by directing The Texanns, a competitive dance company. After college,
Myrtle was offered a dance position with the famous Palmer House in
Chicago. Her life changed forever when teaching won over dancing, and
she returned to Beaumont. Later moving to Dallas, she was the greatest
mother on earth to Sara, Joe, Tom, Helen, and Dorothy. Without question,
her unconditional love for her children was the reason they were given
life.
Myrtle’s life was an example of deep, convicted faith, perpetual hope,
and undying sacrificial love of family, friends, and countless others
fortunate to experience her virtuous character and inevitable nurturing.
Dancing and teaching, her work ethic centered on her children with her
salary used for their education and support. In the early seventies,
with the help of Doyle, family, and friends, she was able to overcome
some difficult times and grow even stronger in her role as the
cornerstone and matriarch of her family. She never lost her faith, her
love for all, and her selfless giving as a mother.
She was hired in 1970 by Newman Smith, her former Beaumont High
principal, to teach English at R. L. Turner in Carrollton. She also
sponsored the yearbook and directed the drill team. She was influential
in the State of Texas recognizing dance as a qualified class for
satisfying the gym requirement. She retired after 18 years. After
retirement, Myrtle moved on to teach and consult with college students
at Collin County Community College in Plano. She was responsible for
founding The Writing Center where students can go to get one-on-one
assistance. In 2007, the North Texas Writing Association honored her
with their Outstanding Tutor award. She truly loved her work until she
retired for good at age 82.
Myrtle enjoyed her associations with the Farmer’s Branch Women’s Club,
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and the Texas State
Teachers Association/National Education Association. She and Doyle
shared 35 years of marital bliss until his death in 2011. He was her
lifelong cohort in the Texas Exes and was such a fan that he had
longhorns hanging on the wall, “The Eyes of Texas” as music for the
doorbell, and a Texas Tower side table lamp. During football season,
there was a friendly rivalry between the Longhorns and the Aggies in the
family.
Again, she cherished her faith and never missed a Sunday Mass or a daily
Rosary. Her Dallas area parishes included the communities of St. Pius X,
St. Rita, Mary Immaculate, and St. Catherine of Siena.
In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “In dying, she has been born to
eternal life” with Christ and we await seeing her again.
She is survived by:
Daughter Sara Morrison Cusick (Richard); granddaughter Katie Cusick
Flores (Julian); great grandsons James and Michael, great granddaughter
Bella; granddaughter Helen Cusick Dahlvig (Joey); great granddaughters
Emma and Catherine; grandson James Cusick (Stephanie); great grandsons
Jimmy, Jack, and Bobby.
Son Dr. Joe Morrison (Dawn); grandson Paul Morrison (Rosy); great
grandson Luke, great granddaughter Kate; granddaughter Claire Morrison
Allison (Clay); great grandsons Connor and Nathaniel; great
granddaughters Madelyn, Margaret, Olivia, and Amelia; grandson John
Morrison (Sarah); great granddaughters Ava and Cecilia; granddaughter
Jessica Morrison Turner (Jerry III); great grandsons Jerry IV and
Raymond.
Son Tom Morrison (Jan); grandson Chris Morrison (Jenny); great grandson
Maddox, great granddaughters Madison and Mayson; granddaughter Eryn
Morrison; grandson Tommy Morrison.
Daughter Helen Morrison Greer (Joe); grandson Christian Baldwin
(Allison); great grandson Hughes, great granddaughters Hadleigh and
Harper; grandson Joey Higgins (Lauren); granddaughter Kathleen Higgins
Carter (Taylor); great granddaughter Dawsyn; great grandson Camden;
grandson Gage Greer.
Daughter Dorothy Morrison Carroll (Michael); grandson Michael Carroll,
Jr. (Brooke).
Niece and life-long closest friend Mary Anne Gilbert; grandniece Taressa
Anderson (Brady); great grandnephews Josh and Rusty; grandnephew Chris
Gilbert (Tommy).
Stepdaughter Carol Ann Brantley (Jerry).
Nieces Anna Marie Blandford, Joni Duperier, and Mary Drew Parson (Bill).
Nephews Henry Duperier (Toni), Frank Duperier (Bitsy), and Robert
Patterson (Karen).
The family would like to thank Val Richards, Cathy Adams, Kathleen
Welsh, Keishia Colbert, Madeleine Truong, and numerous others for their
loving care and support throughout the years.
The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Brooks Family Chapel of the North Dallas
Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234.
Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 10:30 am at St.
Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1705 East Peters Colony Road,
Carrollton, TX 75007. Interment following at 1:00 pm at Dallas Fort
Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas
75211. |