On Sunday, June 4, 2023, Rochelle D. Watts was called to be with the Lord.

Rochelle was born the youngest of eight children to the late Walter and Katherine Hampton Sr., on January 11, 1940 in Johnston, SC.  As a young teenager her family relocated to Port Washington, New York, where she graduated from Paul D. Schreiber High School.  Shortly after graduation she met her partner of 65 years, George H. Watts Jr., whom she married and raised a family with. In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, Rochelle advanced in her career as a policy consultant for The Equitable Life Insurance Co., where she retired in 1998, after 29 years.

Rochelle will be remembered for her love of flowers and landscaping, for which she was recognized with "Neighborhood Beautification" awards in the Laurelton community of Queens, NY.  She is mostly known for her genuine kind heartedness, as she openly demonstrated her love for her family, friends, neighbors, and multiple charities that supported Christian, human, and animal causes.

Rochelle was predeceased by her parents Walter and Katherine Hampton Sr. and her siblings: Walter Hampton Jr., Ella Mae Palmer, Dorothy Gadson, LeRoy Hampton, Frederick Hampton, Joyce Baker and Melvin Hampton.

Rochelle leaves to cherish her memories: her loving husband George H. Watts Jr., their children Shawn Watts, and Katherine Fox, their grandchildren Nile Fox, and Jaelin Fox, their adoptive daughter and granddaughter Leslie Mitchell and Timmia Mitchell, and their son-in-law James Fox. She was a loving surrogate mother to Lynette Espada of Corona CA, Leslie Mitchell of Manhasset, NY, Leah Hampton-Bilal of Hampton, VA,  Stephanie Coleman-Brodnax of Norwalk, CT,  and Leroy Hampton of Orlando, FL.  She was a loving surrogate grandmother to Derrick Palmer (Taeyeon) of Brooklyn NY, Donald Palmer (Myona) of Chesapeake, VA, and Emane Bilal of Hampton, VA.  She leaves brother -in-laws Herbert " Buddy" Baker of Denver, CO, Jeff "Benny" Watts(Fannie) of Hertford, NC, and Floyd Watts(Minnie) of Far Rockaway, NY; sister-in laws Sheila Watts of Brooklyn, NY, and Marie Watts of Charlotte, NC;  goddaughters  Lisa Jones Blaylock of Long Island, NY and Joy Richardson of Jamaica, NY; her  dearest friends  Marie Thomas of Jamaica, NY, Faye Harper of Jamaica, NY, and Fannie Watts of Hertford, NC;  and a  host of deeply loved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Rochelle loved her church families in Virginia and New York, at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Temple, Hampton, VA, where she served in the Cancer Support Ministry, and Antioch Baptist Church, Jamaica, NY where she served in the Outreach Ministry, the South Carolina Club, and volunteered as administrative support in the church office.  Rochelle was a praying woman, and she encouraged all around her to pray and trust God. She often encouraged her grandchildren with her favorite scripture: Philippians 4:13 I can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.

As we honor her memory, let us Pray, Trust God, and accept his Strength.

Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life service starting at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Temple.  Interment will be in Hampton Memorial Gardens.