
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the St. John Baptist Church, 144 Allen Street, Leslie, Georgia, where the Reverend Calvin James is pastor. Burial will follow in the Old St. John Cemetery, Kaylor Road, Leslie, Lee County, Georgia.
Juanita was born October 21, 1971 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to Rena Mathis Watts and Minister David Watts. She was a 1991 graduate of Sumter County Comprehensive High School. She continued her education at Brewton Parker College of Mt. Vernon, Georgia, where she pursued a degree in Nursing. After returning home, she found employment with Wood Grain Mill Works of Americus, Georgia.
She acquired her Christian training in the family home church, St. John Baptist Church, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined the band of Christian believers. She exemplified her works and dedication as secretary of the Senior Choir and secretary of the Youth Department. Her Christian outreach work included her membership with the Women Deliverance Ministry, where she served as secretary of the organization.
Juanita was united in holy matrimony to Franklin Pitts on March 15, 2006. She was blessed to be the mother of five children. She had that agape love for all her children. One son preceded her in death, Zachary Terrell Watts.
She leaves a legacy of love and memories to her beloved family which includes her loving and devoted husband of eight years, Franklin Pitts, Americus, Georgia; four children, Sha’Miracle E. Watts, DeSoto, Georgia, Keidrick Pitts, Lithonia, Georgia, Quintavion Pitts, Americus, Georgia and Pvt. Jeffrey L. Wright, stationed in Seoul Korea; her beloved parents, Rena Mathis Watts and Minister David Watts, Leslie, Georgia; her maternal grandparents, Vickie Mae Mathis, DeSoto, Georgia and Eddie B. Mathis (Lillie), Cordele, Georgia; eight siblings, Matthew J. Watts (Ann), Canton, Ohio, CaSandra D. Watts, Americus, Georgia, David Bernard Watts (Barbara), Forest Park, Georgia, Nakia R. Watts, Leslie, Georgia, Timothy T. Watts (Shateria), McDonough, Georgia, Marcus Watts, Leslie, Georgia, Pvt. Alisha M. Harvey, stationed in Korea and Ashley D. Harvey, Americus, Georgia; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Hattie Butler and Thomas Butler, Americus, Georgia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lorann Thomas, Robert Pitts (Tracie), all of Americus, Georgia, James Pitts (Felicia), Plains, Georgia, Joann Pitts, Dalton, Georgia, and Marce Pitts, Warner Robins, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Deacon Johnny Mathis (Dorothy), DeSoto, Georgia, Bobby Mathis, San Antonio, Texas, Lucy McKenzie (Jessie) DeSoto, Georgia, Mary Thomas (William), Ruthie King (Gregg), Linda Hawkins (Walter), all of Leslie, Georgia, Henry Mathis (Beverly), Ft. Lynwood, Missouri, Vivian Mann (Jeff), Valdosta, Georgia, Eddie Lee Mathis, Jr., Norris Mathis, and Casandra Mathis, all of Cordele, Georgia, and Ricky Mathis (Belinda) Jacksonville, Florida, Arthur Mae Williams, Pastor Jessie Watts, (Louise), Cleveland Watts, and Deacon Floyd Deriso, all of Desoto, Georgia, Pastor Anthony Walker (Shaunda), Americus, Georgia, and Randy Walker, DeSoto, Georgia, Tyqueppa Clemons, Americus, Georgia, Carrie Durham, Emma M. Crowell (John P.), Marilyn Ferguson (George), Annie Jean Williams, and Alexandra Jaackson all of Columbus, Georgia and Lawrence Williams (Meshia), Plains, Georgia; great aunts and great uncles, Minister Authur Deriso, Deacon Arthur Lee Deriso (Betty), Dorothy Fuller (Walter), all of DeSoto, Georgia, Bertha Ray (Charles) Cordele, Georgia, Pearlie Deriso, Americus, Georgia, and Arthur Lee Garry, Jr., Leslie, Georgia, Minister Ruby Jackson, Cordele, Georgia, Adell Harrell (Willie), and James Mathis (Norma), all of Orlando, Florida, and Annie L. Brown, Titusville, Florida. Also included are a host of beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, other relatives and friends.
- Danielle Bateman(Thursday, May 22 14 01:08 pm EDT)
I am sorry for your loss. May God give you strength to endure this difficult time.My condolences are with the family. Mr. & Mrs. James Bateman and family! - Pagie &Mae Belle Thomas(Wednesday, May 21 14 06:14 pm EDT)
May the Love and grace of God sustain you during this time of sadness. Always cherish the legacy Diane has left. - Cassandra Mathis(Wednesday, May 21 14 04:51 pm EDT)
My sincere condolences. - Maurice & Janet Aldridge & Family(Wednesday, May 21 14 10:28 am EDT)
“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal” 2 Corinthians 1
I am so sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family. - Pastor Leonard Boston(Wednesday, May 21 14 08:08 am EDT)
We pray that you will find refuge under the wings of the almighty GOD, and remember that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Be encourage - Reginald &Angela Stevenson(Wednesday, May 21 14 12:28 am EDT)
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Dianne,May God give you peace during this difficult time to remember the Love that you gave and received from her.