Joseph Lawrence “J.L.” Watts, 93, of Bridge Creek Road, Tiger, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2017, at his daughter and son-in-law’s residence on Deerfield Drive, Clayton. He was the husband of Gretchen Cathey Watts.
Born in Clayton on July 10, 1924, he was the son of the late Willie S. Watts and Bertha Elliott Watts. He was a retired textile plant manager for Claburne M.F.G. and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of Rocky Grove Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Bertha Elliott Watts, and brothers Earl Watts, Ernest Watts, Morris Watts, Doyce Watts and Roy Watts, and by sisters Eunice Arrendale and Clarice Hollifield.
He is survived by his wife, Gretchen Watts, of the home; one son, Jack A. Watts (Pamela) of Tiger; one daughter, Kathy Raby (Howie) of Clayton; two granddaughters, Hannah Watts and Sophia Raby; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.
Funeral services were at Rocky Grove Baptist Church on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Kyle Watts and Layman Lloyd Hunter. Burial followed in the Rocky Grove Cemetery in Tiger. Visitation was at the Rocky Grove Baptist Church on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, from noon to 2 p.m.
The family was at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Howie Raby, on Deerfield Drive, Clayton. The family asks that memorial donations, in his memory, be made to Rocky Grove Baptist Church, 6900 Bridge Creek Road, Tiger, Georgia 30576.
Hunter Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. An online obituary and guest register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com.
The Clayton Tribune, Aug. 10, 2017