James Edward Watts

James Edward Watts was born on August 27, 1947, to the late Moses and Clara Watts in Brandon, Mississippi. The youngest of seven children, James accepted Christ at an early age.

 James had a typical childhood and stayed out of trouble. He worked paper routes through middle and high school while attending Smith-Robertson Elementary, Rowan Junior High, and later Jim Hill High School, where he graduated. He briefly attended junior college on a basketball scholarship but soon realized school wasn’t for him. Instead, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served in Vietnam. While stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, he met and married the love of his life, Joy Moore. His service took them to Lancaster, California and Phoenix, Arizona before they settled in Tucson, where they were blessed with a daughter and a son. James later worked in Civil Service at Davis-Monthan until his retirement.

 A devoted Cincinnati Bengals fan, James had a competitive spirit that shone both on and off the court. He played basketball on several base and city league teams, earning the nickname Slick Watts for his legendary jump shot. He was also a skilled pool player, aka pool shark, known for his sharp eye and steady hand. Beyond sports, James was the life of the party—his infectious laughter, love for singing and dancing, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting impact on everyone he met.

His kids, nieces, and neighbors fondly remember his spontaneous fishing trips, where he would wake them up at all hours, pile them into his camper, and set off on a late-night adventure. James was a member of Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church, attending faithfully until his health began to decline. Though he is no longer with us, James’ warmth, humor, and unwavering love for his family and friends will forever be cherished. 

James was preceded in death by his parents the late Moses and Clara Watts, sisters Cora Lee Watts Anderson, Ernestine Watts Marshall and Mary Geneva Watts Seaberry, brothers Moses Watts and Robert Lee Watts. 

James leaves to cherish his memory wife, Joy Watts, daughter, Janisa (Rodney) Rodgers and Jermaine Sonia Watts, grandchildren Brittany, Rodney Vincent, Jordan, Jaden, Janae and Jaela, one brother Willie Watts of Indianapolis, Indiana, Godson Tahmani, God-granddaughter Nwogaraji and dearest mother-in-law, Gracie Moore, Caregivers Jackie Green and Jacqueline Theophile, and best friend and longtime caregiver Priscilla Heron and a host of extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.