On Friday April 19, 2024 George Harvey Watts Jr. was called to be with the Lord and join the love of his life Rochelle in their heavenly home.

George, Jr. was born the eldest son of eleven children to the late Anna Joe and George Harvey Sr. on January 10, 1936 in Houston, PA.  George spent much of his childhood and was educated in Gary, West Virginia, and at 18 he joined the U.S. Air Force.  While serving at his final duty station on Long Island, New York, he met his partner of 65 years Rochelle D. Watts (Boo), whom he married and raised a family with.  As a young man, George began a career in private sanitation with Clearview Gardens Corporation, where he advanced to Shop Steward and Union Representative for Local 813, from which he retired in 1995.

George will be remembered for his strong, no-nonsense, tough exterior, and his warm, loving and giving heart.  He was a hard worker who modeled leadership in his homelife, work life, and church life.  George was known for his cooking and baking skills, particularly his grilled barbeque ribs, pork souse, sour cream pound cake, and his famous banana pudding.  In addition to being a great cook, George was a compassionate caregiver who ran errands, and provided transportation for the elders of Antioch Baptist Church and his community.  George loved Christmas; he enjoyed buying toys for children to watch their faces when they opened them.  When his children outgrew toys, he found other children to buy for, and he was overjoyed when his grandchildren came along. George was revered and respected by those who knew him.

George was very proud of his family and took pride in himself as a fixture in the house of the Lord, where he spent much of his time praising the Lord, thanking him for saving him and bestowing countless blessings upon him.

George was preceded in death by his loving wife Rochelle D. Watts, his parents Anna Joe and George H. Watts Sr., siblings Mary Watts, John Watts, Cleona Haskin, Betty Bell, Clinton Watts, Irene Walker, and Louise Abel.

George leaves to cherish his memories his children Shawn Watts, and Katherine Fox, his grandchildren Nile Fox, and Jaelin Fox, his son-in-law James Fox, and his adoptive daughter and granddaughter Leslie Mitchell and Timmia Mitchell.  He leaves his brothers Jeff "Benny" Watts (Fannie) of Hertford, NC, and Floyd Watts (Minnie) of Far Rockaway, NY, sister Sheila Watts of Brooklyn, NY, sister-in-law Marie Watts of Charlotte, NC, brother-in-law Herbert "Buddy" Baker of Aurora, CO., a host of deeply loved nieces, nephews and extended family, and his Godchildren Jerrell Smith, Lisa Jones-Blalock, and Joy Richardson.

George shared a special relationship with his nieces; JoAnna Abel, whom he took part in raising, Lynette Espada, Leah Hampton-Bilal and Emane Bilal, nephews Leroy Hampton, Derek Palmer, Donald Palmer, and close family friend Stephanie Coleman-Brodnax, whom he served as a surrogate parent/grandparent to. George will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and furry companion Sheba.

George loved his church families in Virginia and New York, at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Temple, Hampton, VA, where he rarely missed a Sunday, and Antioch Baptist Church, Jamaica, NY where he served on the Trustee Board, and in the Male Chorus.  George had special admiration for his pastor Rev. Dr. Jerome A. Barber, and Minister Andre'a Reid whom he loved and respected as the vessels of the word from his Lord God.  George loved his family and friends, and most of all he loved the Lord, whom he was a trusted servant of.

He will now rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord, holding the hand of his wife.

Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024 at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Temple.  Interment will be in Hampton Memorial Gardens.