Mr. Vernie Watts Jr Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

In Loving Memory of Vernie Watts, Jr. was born in Covington County, Mississippi on May 15, 1938, the son of Vernie Watts, Sr.,and Lula V. Rankins. Vern moved to Gulfport, Mississippi and joined Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church where he was baptized. He graduated from 33rd Avenue High School in Gulfport, Mississippi. He attended Alabama State University in Montgomery Alabama on a football scholarship. After college Vern served eight years in the United States Army Reserve. Upon his discharge in 1964, he moved to Erie, Pennsylvania and was employed by General Electric Company. Vern also played for and coached the Erie Jets Semi-Professional Football Team. While living in Erie, he joined Antioch Baptist Church. He married Charlie Mae Barney in 1967. This union lasted for 19 years. His family moved to Woodhaven, Michigan in 1976 where he was employed by Pennwalt Chemical Company as a maintenance supervisor for ten years. Vern then worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield for an additional ten years until his retirement. In 1987 Vern married Betty Jean Johnson, who after 35 years of marriage, preceded him in death. Vern was a faithful member of Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday school. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Watts; parents Vern Watts Sr., and Lula V. Rankins; brother Bobby Watts, and stepdaughter Debra Johnson. He leaves to cherish his memory: his two daughters Antionette Gates of Gulfport, Mississippi and Elizabeth Watts of Detroit, Michigan, and three stepdaughters Angela (Belton) Rose of Douglasville, Georgia; Barbara (David) White of Great Falls, South Carolina; and Sharon (Nate) Griggs of Auburn Hills, Michigan. His memory is also celebrated by his sister Minnie Cooley of Cincinnati, Ohio and his godchild Deanna McFarland of Erie, Pennsylvania. He also leaves a legacy to a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Mr. Vernie Watts Jr

May 15, 1938 - April 19, 2022