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- Stenza Lee Pait was the daughter of Hayes Bascom Pait and Ida Maria Thompson. She was born in the Center Road Community "Pait Town" of Bladen County. Her father was a Tobacco farmer and Saw Mill owner and Stenza grew up in this rural setting. After graduating from Bladenboro High School in June of 1950 she attended The National School Of Commerce in Charlotte, NC. where she recieved a diploma in Stenography. Her first employement was with EBASCO Services, Inc. in Lumberton, NC. where they were building a Steam/Electric Generating plant for Carolina Power and Light Co. There she met and fell in love with Alton J. "Bo" Watts who was employed with Carolina Power and Light Co. They were married on August 10, 1952 and enjoyed 43 years of happy married life before she died with Colalrectal Cancer on March 31, 1996.
In January of 1995 she was hospitalized in Asheville, NC. with cancer. During this stay in the hospital the Doctors told the family that she would not live through the night. She fooled them and lived for another 14 months. Her 12 year old grand son, Justin Watts McCormick whom she adored and he dearly loved his "MeMa" wrote a brief story about his "MeMa" and it goes like this:
" My Hero"
"My Mema has always been one of the most important people in my life. She has taught me lots of things. She always loves me and gives me things and never ask for anything. When my parents are mad at me, Mema always reminds me of how important I am and how proud she is of me. My Mema is the strongest and bravest person I know. She has been sick so long but she never quits and she is a fighter. She almost died last February. When my Papa told her she was dying she rebelled. She wasn't about to quit on life. She gathered all her strength and determination and pulled herself through. I truly admire her strength. My Mema loves me no matter what. She always thinks of other people. She taught me that you can do the impossible if you try hard enough. I love my Mema. She is my Hero."
By Justin McCormick, September 1995
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1933 - 1996 (63 years)
