Mary M. Watts, 85, formerly of Cherokee, IA and Sierra Vista, AZ, passed away quietly April 29, 2023, in Overland Park, Kansas. Services will be 10:00 am at Cure of Ars Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 with internment in Sierra Vista, AZ at a future date.
Mary was born to J.T. Moore and Roena Turner Moore on July 8, 1937, in San Bernardino, CA. Mary attended elementary and high school in Colton and Holtville, CA, respectively. After high school, Mary joined the Air Force in 1958. She went to basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas and then stationed at Chanute AFB, IL where she was assigned to the Air Weather Service. Upon completion of her training, she was stationed at Andrew AFB, Maryland. There she met and married her former spouse, Larry Watts.
Mary then moved to Cherokee, IA in 1960 where she lived for 25 years. She was active in the community and worked for the Iowa Public Services office until 1972, when she and her former spouse opened Larry’s Clothing. From 1979-1985, Mary was the Executive Director of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce and the Cherokee Industrial Corporation. In 1985, Mary left Cherokee for Phoenix, AZ, where she was the manager of a small shop for a short time. She then moved to Amelia Island, FL where she worked for Amelia Island Lodging systems and began studying for her real estate license. In 1986, she moved back to Arizona where she settled in Sierra Vista, AZ and she began her real estate career but after much debate decided to go back to the military as a civil servant. During this time Mary also attended Cochise College and obtained her associate degree in business with an emphasis in marketing. She also met her life partner, Bob Atkinson, with whom she spent 24 years before passing in 2014.
From 1986-1988, Mary was the Executive Secretary for the U.S. Army Garrison, Finance and Accounting Division at Fort Huachuca, AZ. In 1988, she was promoted to Executive Assistant to the U.S. Army Garrison, Directorate of Resource Management, a position she held until her retirement in 1999. Mary was a member of many organizations and received many professional, career and community achievements. In addition to her civil service career, Mary was very active in the Sierra Vista Community. She was a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for 12 years, the Library Commission 7 years and was active in the Sierra Vista Optimist Club for over 10 years. While a member in the club she served as Secretary/Treasurer and President multiple times. When Mary retired, she volunteered at the City Library where she learned to repair books.
Mary moved to Overland Park, KS in 2015 to be closer to family. She was an avid reader and seldom seen without a book. Mary loved learning and experiencing new things. Spelunking, rock climbing, sky diving and whitewater rafting are among her adventures. She was great at arts, crafts and was an accomplished seamstress and tailor. She loved to teach others and learn from everyone. Mary enjoyed traveling but her heart and soul were drawn to Ireland especially the Dingle peninsula near Skellig Michael.
Mary was a loving and gracious mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She is survived by her daughter, Denise Perry and her husband Stacey Perry, grandchildren, Marcus Perry and wife Kelsey, Jonathan Perry and Michael Perry; daughter Kris Meins and her husband Jason Meins and grandson Sean Witcombe. Great grandchildren Carter, Kace and Tommy Perry. And her sister Francis Phillips, her daughters and their families.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donation be made to: St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. www.stjude.org, or Smile Train, 41 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010, www.smiletrain.org, in honor of Mary M. Watts.
