Cleo (Farmer) Watts

Services for Cleo Farmer Watts, 93, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma will be Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 at 1:00 at First Baptist Church of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Sallisaw City Cemetery in Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

She was born on December 20th, 1925 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, the daughter of Lova (Lillard) Farmer and Frederick Andrew Farmer and passed away on March 15th, 2019, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Cleo spent her childhood in Vian, Ok. She graduated from Vian High School in 1943. Following the Pearl Harbor attack she moved to Richmond, California with several friends including Marie Farmer, JT Stites and Dorthine Lessley Pointer where she worked in the shipyards during WWII. When the war ended she returned to Sallisaw and soon after met her lifelong love, Tige Watts, at the local Ivey’s Drug Store. Tige was newly home from war, where he had been injured and held captive by Germany as a Prisoner of War. Cleo and Tige were married December 24th, 1945. The young couple soon moved to Tulsa where Tige worked as a private pilot. Their twins, Sharon and Karen, were born in 1948 so they returned to Sallisaw to begin raising their daughters and be near family. Their son Fred, was born in 1958. Cleo spent her very blessed life as a homemaker. She was the gracious center of laughter and joy to her family, all of her 93 years.

Cleo was of the Baptist Faith and a Sunday School teacher. Cleo was a proud member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary for a record setting 68 years. She also participated in Eastern Star and served as President of the Good Earth Garden Club. In 2017, during the 4th of July celebration the Vian Community honored Cleo with the “Vian’s Favorite Daughter” award for her lifelong support of Vian and many community projects.

Cleo enjoyed countless friendships and was always ready to share laughs with the “therapy group”. She enjoyed dressing up for formal dances, traveling with her friends and overnight shopping trips with her girls. Cleo was a dedicated homemaker, devoted wife, loving mother, precious grandmother and being a great grandmother gave her immence joy. Cleo was very fortunate to have wonderful lifelong friendships and extraordinarily special friendships with her beloved sisters-n-law.

Survivors are:

2 daughters and sons-in-law: Karen and Burney Byers of Sallisaw, OK
and Sharon and Tommy Rhodes of Sallisaw, OK;

1 son and daughter-in-law: Fred and Annette Watts of Sallisaw, OK;

grandchildren: Grant Rhodes of Sallisaw, OK, Sydney Miles and George of Sapulpa, OK, Jack “Bo” Byers and Vanessa of Grove, OK, Amber Cameron and Tyler of Gales Ferry, CT,

great grandchildren: Samantha Rhodes, Alexandra Rhodes, Ryan Miles, Ethan Miles, Abigail Byers, Ava Grace Byers, A.J. Byers, Anna Rae Byers, Addison Cameron, and Emily Cameron;

nieces and nephews: Sandy Breashears, George Perry Farmer, Clayton Lee Farmer, LeeAnn Bumpers, Don Farmer, Elaine Hensley and Sinclair Farmer;

sister-in-law: Ann Armstrong Farmer of Sallisaw, OK;

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, 2 brothers: Clayton Farmer and Archie Don Farmer and 3 sister-in-laws: Marie Farmer, Cletis Watts, and Iris Watts.

Viewing will be 2 pm – 8 pm Sunday and 10 am – 8 pm Monday at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, OK where the family will greet 6 – 8 pm Monday

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Sallisaw Building Fund.