Final Salute

James Whitley “Whit” Watts Obituary

Memorial services for James Whitley “Whit” Watts, 83, of Cookeville, Tennessee, will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3850 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville. Elder Randy Adcock will officiate. Family will receive friends following services at the church. All family and friends are welcome.

Interment will be at Montgomery Cemetery in Baxter at a later date.

Mr. Watts died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at his home.

He was born Jan. 2, 1936, in Putnam County, Tennessee, to the late Jimmy Hop Watts and Dora Prill Maddux Watts.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jimmie Ethel Fields Watts, on Nov. 26, 2009; brothers, Lewis Claude “Mousie” Watts and Jimmy Hop Watts Jr.

He was a 1953 graduate of Baxter Seminary. He was a four-year veteran of the U.S. Navy (Seabees). He was a retired crane operator. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, gardening and studying the Bible. He was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Survivors include daughters, Cindy Watts Smith of Clearwater, Florida, and Callie Jo Cross and husband, Tony Illiano of Dunedin, Florida; son, Russell (Dena) Watts of Cookeville; sisters, Sara Futrell of Baxter, Tennessee, Faye Watts and Jean (Keith Jr.) Kinniard, all of Silver Point, Tennessee; brother, Roy (Shirley) Watts of Louisiana; sister-in-law, Dowlene Watts of Baxter; and granddaughter, Molly Catherine Smith.

Baxter Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.