Jesse Ray Watts, Sr. 78, of Jarratt, VA, went home to Heaven on April 30, 2020.
He was born on December 23, 1941 to A.G. and Mattie Vaughan Watts of Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Jesse attended William R. Davie High School in Halifax County.
He began his work life in the local textile plants and then moved on to other jobs including the cigarette and ball bearing plants in Petersburg, VA.
He then found a career that fitted his outgoing dynamic personally as a mariner with the Merchant Marines, sailing with various marine shipping companies and eventually spending 27 years with Exxon Mobil while attaining the position of Fleet Chef.
During his sailing days he was elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the USW Union. He was fortunate to have disembarked the Exxon Valdez one week prior to the catastrophic oil spill in the Prince William Sound of Alaska on March 24, 1989.
However he was summoned on several occasions by the FBI for testimony pertaining to the event.
Each time he vehemently defended the ship’s Captain Joseph Underwood, who was not on the bridge at the time of the accident but had put other staff in charge of port entry. He had sailed with Captain Underwood on prior occasions. He retired early in 1995 to dedicate more time with his family at home.
Jesse never met a stranger and would literally give you the shirt off his back. He was deeply kind and caring. He loved to cook and host a meal and was a master at it, using the skills he learned as an Exxon Mobil Fleet Chef sailing the high seas.
He was an avid sports fan, a great fisherman, and loved music and often performed at local events with his brothers singing and playing guitar. Maybe what gave him the most joy of all was talking, whether it be with friends, family, or strangers. He was a thoughtful and loving family man. During his retirement he enjoyed making new friends and greeting people as manager and caretaker of the local Roanoke Rapids Lake Day Use Park, being an involved member of the Jarratt, VA Senior Citizens Club, spending quality time with his caring and loving wife Mary Ann, loving on his grandchildren and attending and performing at local music events with his brothers.
Preceding Jesse in death, were his sister Lois Grice of Christmas, FL; brothers, Alfred G. (Sparkie) Watts, S.T. Lyles, David Lyles, Maynard Lyles, all of Roanoke Rapids; and Rupert (Bob) Lyles Jr. of Boyce, VA.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Harrell Watts of the home; three sons, Jesse Ray Watts, Jr. of Garner, NC, Tommy Watts(Marsha) of Washington, NC, and David Watts(Ashley) of Durham, NC; one daughter, Melanie Blackmon (Chuck) of Roanoke Rapids, NC; two brothers, Wilbur Watts(Joyce) of Newport News, VA, Walter Watts(Betty) of Roanoke Rapids; five granddaughters, Daisy and Delaney Watts of Durham, NC, Kayla and Libby Watts of Knoxville, TN, and Gabrielle Blackmon, of Roanoke Rapids; three grandsons, Trae Watts of the United States Airforce, Nicholas and Alex Blackmon of Memphis, TN; one great granddaughter, Charlie Ann Watts of Knoxville, TN; many loving & kind nieces and nephews; and special lifelong family friend Clyde Rook of Greenville, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Uniquely Me Foundation at 1314 W.McDermott Rd., Ste 106-744, Allen, TX, 75013, web address: uniquelymefoundation.org
Their mission is to bring together and celebrate the amazing people and families living with TAR Syndrome and other rare disorders.
Memorial service to be announced at a later date.
The online guest book may be signed at hockadayfs.com
Arrangements are under the care of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.