[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E706-E707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    MRS. VIRLIN MILLEE WATSON FOR HAVING REACHED HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                            HON. JAY DICKEY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 28, 1995
  Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to Mrs. 
Virlin Millee Watson. Mrs. Watson was born on March 25, 1895, to the 
late James William Millee and Sarah Jane Long Millee in Sebastian 
County, AK, near the town of Fort Smith, where she lived until 1906 
when her family moved south to Pine Bluff, AK.
  Mrs. Watson graduated from Pine Bluff High School and began work in 
June 1915 for Schober-Martin Dry Goods Co. as a pattern clerk and also 
answered the telephone. She studied bookkeeping in night classes at a 
privately-run school in Pine Bluff and in 1916 was hired by Joe Hankins 
& Co. cotton buyers as a bookkeeper. In 1919 she became bookkeeper for 
Pine Bluff Produce and Provision Co. and worked in that position until 
her marriage. During this time she was an active member of the Ohio 
Street Baptist Church and also enjoyed an active social life.
  On November 15, 1922, she was married to Clarence Watson. Mr. Watson 
was employed in the administrative office of the Cotton Belt Railroad. 
After the marriage, she joined the First Baptist Church and, in 
addition to church 
[[Page E707]] activities, was a dedicated homemaker and a member of 
several social clubs composed of young matrons of the city.
  On May 9, 1931, she gave birth to Clarence Watson, Jr., and in 
November of that same year the Watsons moved to a new house at 3003 
Cherry Street, where Mrs. Watson would live for some 59 years 
thereafter. On June 2, 1951, Mrs. Watson began a second career. Mr. 
Watson's failing health contributed to the need and desire for Mrs. 
Watson to once again enter the work force. She was placed in charge of 
the tuberculosis unit of the Jefferson County, AK, health unit. She 
remained employed in that position until her retirement in January 
1958. Mr. Watson died September 11, 1958.
  Mrs. Watson continues to maintain interest in the affairs of her 
church as well as city, State, and national affairs. She also remains a 
devoted Arkansas Razorback football and basketball fan. In late 1993 
she moved to Trinity Village but continues to maintain her Cherry 
Street home for occasional use. Her son, C.E. Watson, and his wife 
Frances live in San Diego, CA. She has two grandchildren, Kevin Scott 
Watson, of California, and Leslie Claire Watson, of Florida.
  In short Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Watson is an extraordinary woman whose 
life can be looked at as an example of what America is all about. 
Through the good times and the bad times she has shown love and 
dedication to her family and community, and by so doing has made this 
world a better place in which to live.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to Mrs. Virlin Millee Watson as she and her loved ones celebrate the 
reaching of yet another milestone in her life.


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