Elsie Jones Craven Watt

Elsie was born April 13, 1921, in Pomeroy, to Lewis and Beulah Jones, and passed away Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at the age of 94, while a resident at Life Care Center, where she had lived since October.

Elsie told stories of a happy childhood in the country near Pomeroy in a nice farmhouse on Deadman Creek, and how she and her two brothers helped with the farming and sheep ranching chores. She attended the Kirby School, a country school near Pomeroy, and graduated from eighth grade in May 1935. In the fall of 1935, the family bought a farm in Woodland. Not wanting to send their only daughter to boarding school in Kamiah, Elsie did not have the opportunity to continue her education, though she was a lifelong reader and enjoyed learning new things. She was especially devoted to reading the Bible and also enjoyed reading anything related to animals, nature and early pioneer living.

She married Robert Craven in 1939 at the Harrisburg Church near Woodland. They made their home in Woodland, where Dorothy, Oliver "Bob" and Clarence "John" were born. They moved to the Lewiston Orchards in 1949 and added to their family Catherine "Cathy" and Pauline. Robert passed away in 1978, and Elsie later married Hueston Watt, who also preceded her in death in 2001.

Elsie was a homemaker until the early 1960s, when she began working in nursing homes and caring for the elderly in their homes. During her years with Hueston, she enjoyed helping him with his restaurant in Kendrick and his ranch in Deary. Elsie always enjoyed her gardens, cattle and chickens on her two-and-a-half acres in the Lewiston Orchards. She lived in her own home until 2006, when she moved next door to her home place to live with her daughter, Cathy.

Elsie was known for her deep faith, daily Bible reading and consistent praying for her family, friends and national leaders. She had a strong work ethic, enjoyed hard work and always put work before leisure.

She is survived by five children and their spouses, Dorothy (Art) Bowman of Falcon, Mo., Bob (Tanya) Craven of Port Orchard, Wash., John (Vickie) Craven of Bremerton, Wash., Cathy (Scott) Edmonson of Lewiston, and Pauline (Andy) Bjorklund of Lewiston; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Craven and Heuston Watt; her brothers, Lorin Jones and Gerald Jones; and a grandson, Bobby Craven.

A family graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Woodland Friends Church in Woodland. Memorial gifts may be made to the Salvation Army or any mission project of the donor's choice. An online guest book is available at www.malcomsfuneralhome.com.