Ella was born on February 28, 1882  in Copiah County MS. Some listings have her birth year ranging from 1980-1887.

Ella's brother, an infant son to the McManus', was born and died in 1888. It is reported by one source that he was born and died on August 11, 1888.

17 years old.  In the 1900 census, she is listed as being 15 and born in March 1885 in MS. She was single and the daughter of the head of the household. Father is listed a Billey Mcmanius, born in MS, and mother is listed as Ione Mcmanius, also born in MS.  Mistakes are commonplace in census listings. She is listed as a music teacher, can read and write English, and attended 5 years of school.  Other members of the household are below.

27 years old.  In the 1910 census, she is listed as being 27 and born in 1883 in MS. She was married to William B Hidle, head of household, for 8 years.. Her father's and mother's birthplaces are listed as MS. The residence was listed as a home farm on Upper Jackson and Crystal Springs Road in Beat 5 of Copiah County MS. Her occupation was a farm laborer. The census reported she could not read or write English.  She had 2 living children. Other members of the household are below.

38 years old.  The census is spelling the last name as "Hidle". The home was in Crystal Springs East, Copiah County, MS, on Gatesville Road and listed as a farm. Ella was the wife of the head of the household, "W D Hidle". She listed her father's and mother's birthplaces as Mississippi. They rented the home. She was able to read and write English. And she listed no occupation. Other members of house listed below.

Sometime after 1940, William Heidel (or Hidle) either died or they divorced. Little information is available on William after 1940. 

Ella's mother, Annette Jane Nannie Sykes McManus, died on February 14, 1948. She either died or had been living in Terry MS, in Hinds County. 

Ella reportedly moved to Louisiana around 1950.

Ella's father, "Billy" McManus, died on December 11, 1951. He  either died and/or had been living in Terry MS, in Hinds County.  Note that he was named William M McManus, as was his son, Ella's brother. The father was called Billy and the son was called Willie.

Ella's husband Commodore Watts died on March 11, 1952.

Ella Watts received a Social Security number in 1965. Her birth date was listed as February 28, 1884 - not 1882. She was listed as last residing in New Orleans, LA. 

Ella died on January 2, 1975.  She had been living in Harahan Louisiana for 25 years.