Sergeant First Class James Oliver Watts (fondly known as J.O. passed Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Emory Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 7, 2015 at St. John Baptist Church, 224 East Allen Street, Leslie, Georgia. Reverend Calvin James, pastor, and Reverend Jesse Watts will officiate. Interment will follow in St. John Baptist Church Cemetery, Taylor Road, Leslie, Georgia.
Sergeant First Class James Oliver Watts was born on May 18, 1957 in Lee County Georgia to the late Rev. Arthur Watts and the Late Clara Watts. He was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Watts Jr.
At an early age, he joined St. John Baptist Church in Leslie, Georgia. In his youth, he was educated in the Lee County school system; however, in 1976, he graduated from Union High School in Leslie, Georgia. After graduation, James joined the military (Army), retiring with honors at the age of 37, after 20 full years of service. During his decorated military career, he proudly served as a mechanic, drill sergeant and instructor. As a soldier, he dutifully served his country in Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. Even after retirement, James continued his service to the military as a general contracted mechanic and instructor in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was in Saudi Arabi that he survived the bombing of his compound in Riyadh after the 9/11 attacks.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 33 years Doshia Watts, Columbus, GA, and their three children, Lakinia (Theopolis) Ramsey, Emeryville, CA, Zachary Watts (fiancée, Porscha Armour), Ellenwood, GA and Yasmin Watts, Ellenwood, GA; a grandchild, Camden Gibson, Ellenwood, GA; siblings, Arthur Mae Watts, DeSoto, GA, Pastor Georgia (Floyd) Deriso, DeSoto, GA, Mary Alice (Ward) Wilson, Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland Watts, DeSoto, GA, Rev. Jesse (Louise) Watts, DeSoto, GA, Minister David Watts, DeSoto, GA, Pastor Anthony (Lashonda) Walker, Americus, GA and Randy Walker, DeSoto, GA, a devoted cousin, Bridget (Jeff) Champion; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Clarence (Miranda) Mitchell, Roosevelt (Bobbie Jean) Mitchell, Eddie (Barbara) Mitchell, all of Americus, GA. Essie Mitchell, Leslie, GA, and Willie Mitchell, Hartford, CT; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A devoted husband and father, an honored and committed soldier…J.O. will truly be missed.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 7, 2015 at St. John Baptist Church, 224 East Allen Street, Leslie, Georgia. Reverend Calvin James, pastor, and Reverend Jesse Watts will officiate. Interment will follow in St. John Baptist Church Cemetery, Taylor Road, Leslie, Georgia.
Sergeant First Class James Oliver Watts was born on May 18, 1957 in Lee County Georgia to the late Rev. Arthur Watts and the Late Clara Watts. He was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Watts Jr.
At an early age, he joined St. John Baptist Church in Leslie, Georgia. In his youth, he was educated in the Lee County school system; however, in 1976, he graduated from Union High School in Leslie, Georgia. After graduation, James joined the military (Army), retiring with honors at the age of 37, after 20 full years of service. During his decorated military career, he proudly served as a mechanic, drill sergeant and instructor. As a soldier, he dutifully served his country in Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. Even after retirement, James continued his service to the military as a general contracted mechanic and instructor in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was in Saudi Arabi that he survived the bombing of his compound in Riyadh after the 9/11 attacks.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 33 years Doshia Watts, Columbus, GA, and their three children, Lakinia (Theopolis) Ramsey, Emeryville, CA, Zachary Watts (fiancée, Porscha Armour), Ellenwood, GA and Yasmin Watts, Ellenwood, GA; a grandchild, Camden Gibson, Ellenwood, GA; siblings, Arthur Mae Watts, DeSoto, GA, Pastor Georgia (Floyd) Deriso, DeSoto, GA, Mary Alice (Ward) Wilson, Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland Watts, DeSoto, GA, Rev. Jesse (Louise) Watts, DeSoto, GA, Minister David Watts, DeSoto, GA, Pastor Anthony (Lashonda) Walker, Americus, GA and Randy Walker, DeSoto, GA, a devoted cousin, Bridget (Jeff) Champion; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Clarence (Miranda) Mitchell, Roosevelt (Bobbie Jean) Mitchell, Eddie (Barbara) Mitchell, all of Americus, GA. Essie Mitchell, Leslie, GA, and Willie Mitchell, Hartford, CT; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A devoted husband and father, an honored and committed soldier…J.O. will truly be missed.
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