Ottis Watts, Jr

Ottis David (O.D.) Watts, Jr., 83, passed away on March 1, 2016 at Novant Health (Matthews) Medical Center. He was preceded in death in 2013 by his beloved wife of over 62 years, Frances Clara Sasser Watts.

O.D. was born in Mecklenburg County on July 8, 1932 to the late Ottis David Watts, Sr. and the late Bessie Alverta Ferguson Watts. He was an only child and attended Bain School in Mint Hill. Lifelong residents of the Midland and Indian Trail area, O.D. and Frances first met at Training Union at Clear Creek Baptist Church (the 2nd-oldest Baptist church in Mecklenburg County), were married there, and then lived, for the majority of their marriage, on a tract of Ferguson family land within sight of that same church. Together, they spent a lifetime serving God and demonstrating His love by attending to the benevolent needs of their family, churches, and community and showing hospitality to every person they met.

A devout Christian, O.D. was faithful in church attendance, served as a deacon and Deacon Chairman, and was a life-long tither and avid reader of the Bible. He was also a devoted husband who loved his sons, grandchildren, and home-life, especially yearly family vacations spent at White Lake, NC. When Frances fell ill in 2010, he cared for her at home for 3 years until less than a week before her death, even spending more than 2 months sleeping on a cot by her side at a rehabilitative facility while she recovered from a fall. He rarely missed an opportunity to talk about the accomplishments, vocational and educational, of his offspring, and he invested in all their lives in ways that were meaningful to each one. He was also particularly fond of his 2 grandsons-in-law, Scott Marcus and Matthew Hartsell, repeating on many occasions that Mel and Sarah both could have “looked the whole world over and not done no better.”

O.D. was known far and wide for his work ethic. He worked as a machinist from early adulthood, holding positions at R.H. Bouligny, Inc., The Terrell Machine Company, Inc., and Pneumafil Corporation, all in Charlotte. Even after retiring at age 62 following a serious heart attack, he dressed daily in his work uniforms and was never idle around the house. He spent considerable time planting and tending a large vegetable garden each spring and summer, giving almost all of the produce away to family, friends, and neighbors. He and “Nanny Watts” canned, froze, and pickled what they did keep and also made delicious preserves from the figs, berries, and pears they picked on their property. When there was no other work to be done, O.D. cleared trees and split firewood. Into his late 70s, he outworked men half his age, but he did make time to take several Christian Tours all over the continental U.S. with his wife and other couples.

O.D. was a man who loved to joke around and tell stories, often the same story more than one time! He could recall the exact amount of past paid bills and tax statements, down to the penny. He held very strong opinions on driving directions, residential construction, and the Stock Market, although he never held investments. He enjoyed eating with his family and groups of friends at K&W Cafeteria, Showmars, and most recently, Golden Corral. Whether dining out or at home, he never ate a meal without holding a piece of bread in his left hand, and he regarded crackers and applesauce as food groups of their own merit.

O.D. Watts is survived by 2 sons, Dr. David Terrell Watts and wife Janice Cooke Watts of Midland, NC and Joel Adrain Watts of Charlotte, NC; 2 grandsons, David Wesley Watts of Midland and Matthew David Watts of Charlotte; 2 granddaughters, Melodie Gayle Marcus and husband Scott of Stanfield, NC and Sarah Watts Hartsell and husband Matthew of Midland, and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 4, 2016 at Christ Baptist Church of Indian Trail. The funeral will be officiated by Rev. Stephen Hicks of Christ Baptist, Dr. Lynn Sasser of The Baptist State Convention of NC, and Dr. D. Terrell Watts of Oakboro First Baptist. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Road, Charlotte. Memorials may be directed to Christ Baptist Church of Indian Trail, NC. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Watts family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com