Kate and Claude Watkins

Susan Kate Patman and Claude Monroe Watkins were married on 20 Dec 1908, license issued in Morris, Co.. Texas.

Susan Kate Patman was the oldest daughter of Emma and John Patman, born at Patman Switch on 20 Nov 1890, died while visiting her daughter, Claudia Murphy and family in Elgin, Texas on 1? Jan 1966, buried at Rose-dale Cemetery in Gladewater, Gregg Co. Texas. She had one sister, Bennye Hen-rye Patman and one brother John William Wright Patman.

Claude (Claudius as he was listed in the 1900 census) Monroe Watkins was born on 1? Dec 1889 in Hughes Springs, Cass Co., Texas to William Er-vin Nathaniel Watkins and Mary “Mollie” Gamble Watkins, died 20 Dec 19^1 in Gladewater, Gregg Co., Texas. Buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Gladewater. He was one of 10 children, 3 sisters and 6 brothers, Children: (1) Vennirea Watkins, born 15 Dec 1910 in Hughes Springs, Cass Co., Texas, died 22 July 1965, in Linden, Texas. Buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Gladewater, Texas. Married 1st Loy Gibson of Vivian, La. and had one daughter, Mary Joyce Gibson, married 2nd John Henry Luker of Athens, Tex., had one daughter Johnny Rea Luker and one son Charlie Gay “Sonny” Luker. (2) Claudia Merle Watkins, born in Vivian, La., on 30 Dec 1928, married Melvin Murphy, had 2 sons W.C. and Byrd, living in Elgin, Texas.(3) Mildred Catherine, born ca 1931 died ca 1933, buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Gladewater, Texas.

Kate owned and operated the Fashion Shop in Hughes Springs, where she designed and made fashionable dresses and hats, prior to 1919- Claude built their first home on acreage given to them by his mother Mollie Watkins, located near the home where he was born and raised. Claude was hired by the Texas Oil Co. and went to work for them in Vivian, La in 1919 and lived there until he was transferred to Gladewater, Texas ca 1930. At the time of his death he was Production Superintendent of Texas Company in the Gladewater area. Kate also owned a Fashion Shoppe in Vivian. In Gladewater, Texas they were active members of the First Baptist Church, the Stamps Quartet Singing Group, and started the NYA (National Youth Administration) under the supervision of Lyndon Baines Johnson, enlisting many of their Cass Co. relatives and friends. After Claude died in 1941, Kate returned to Hughes Springs, with her daughter Claudia Merle and granddaughter Mary Joyce Gibson. Kate was the first employee to go on payroll at Lone Star Defense Plant. She was hired in March 1943 as a supervisor of the hospital. She retired in June 1956 as Personnel Employee Service Officer. She was “better known as Miss Kate to her fellow employees. She was active in the First Baptist Church, Women’s Missionary Union, Eastern Star Red Radiance Garden Club, Charter member of Femme Sole Club, helped organize the Patman Reunions, and continued her participation in Singing Groups in East Texas. After her death, her brother Congressman Wright Patman, often said that throughout his Congressional District, he would receive words of praise for the many kind deeds she had done for others.

--By Johnny Rea Luker Fite