Delena Mae Watts, 82, of Arkansas City, KS passed away Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita.
Graveside services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2019, at the Springside Cemetery. Pastor Ryan Nichols will officiate. Friends may greet the family 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and Crematory.
Delena was born April 16, 1937, to Duncan L. and Edith R. (Scott) Shumate in Newkirk, OK. She attended grade school at Washunga before moving to Arkansas City where she graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1955.
Delena was married to John R. Watts and they made their home in Arkansas City. Delena was a devoted homemaker until John’s passing in 1983. She then worked in USD 470 food service, the state hospital, and later Calmar for several years. Delena had a passion for cooking and baking. If you ever left her house hungry it was your own fault, and at the end of almost every meal you had to leave with some leftovers. She greatly enjoyed a good fast-paced game of Wahoo, but most of all she cherished her grandchildren, especially having them all over for sleep overs and telling them thrilling stories she made up as she went.
Survivors include her daughters Joni Curl of Arkansas City, KS; Jana Lumbert and husband Ross of Rose Hill, KS; niece Margie Strieter and husband Michael of Laurel, MD; nephew Wayne Shumate Jr. and wife Tammy of San Bernardino, CA; sister-in-law Pauline Carlin and husband Jim of Laurel, MD; 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Delena was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Roy Shumate and Wayne Shumate, her husband John, sons Rick and Gary, granddaughter Stacia Peach, and great-grandson Lucas Peach.
Memorial contributions to expand the John R. Watts Memorial Scholarship through Cowley College may be made through the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and Crematory.