Maj. Charles Dewayne Watts

Maj. Charles Dewayne Watts, age 71, of Hoschton, GA passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019.

Maj. Watts is survived by his wife of 50 years, Brenda Jo (Shook) Watts; his son & daughter-in-law, Greg & Shayne Watts of Memphis, TN; son-in-law and daughter, Dave & Jamie Grainger of Flowery Branch, GA; son & daughter-in-law, Tyler & Hang Watts, of Clemson, SC; and 8 grandchildren: Hannah, Abby, Griffin, Colman, Linh, Fisher, Rita, and Becket. He is also survived by his siblings, Dr. Dennis Watts and wife, Mary, of Austin, TX; and Carol Hardaway, and husband, Larry, of Austin, TX; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Cissy Shook, of Dallas, TX.

Charles was born July 19, 1947 in Monticello, Arkansas to the late Howard Raymond and Winona Majors Watts.  He spent his childhood in Crossett, Arkansas and graduated from Crossett High School in 1965. Afterwards, he attended the University of Arkansas, Monticello, where he met his wife and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1969.  He was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1970 and served with distinction as a KC-135 and EC-135 navigator and instructor.  During his military career, he served during the Vietnam Conflict, was part of the 1st Combat Evaluation Group at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and ended his military career in California as detachment commander for the 9th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (Blue Eagle) based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. He served for 20 years and considered it both an honor and a privilege to serve his country.

His final assignment was at March AFB in Riverside, California.  He retired from the USAF in 1990 and remained in Riverside, where he served as Director of Admissions at California Baptist University, and finished his career as a commercial salesman for A-Z Bus Sales. After his second retirement in 2012, he and his wife moved to Georgia to be near family.

Charles was always actively involved in church wherever his family was located, working with all ages, in youth groups, young marrieds, and later adult co-ed classes. He served as a deacon at First Southern Baptist Church, Honolulu, Hawaii and a Sunday school leader and trustee at Magnolia Church in Riverside, California. At Christ Place he was director of his Bible fellowship class, part of the media team, and a shuttle driver.

Whether in his faith, his family, his military service, or his friendships, Charles was fiercely loyal and driven by a strong sense of duty and honor.  His faith and love for others was manifested in acts of kindness.  He was happiest when he was helping and serving others. 

Visitation will be held at Memorial Park South Funeral Home in Flowery Branch, Georgia on Tuesday, July 2nd from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 3rd at 2pm at the chapel in Christ Place Church with Rev. Terry Lowe officiating.  The family will receive friends at 1:30pm at the church.  Private burial will be held at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

Donations may be made to Operation Heal Our Patriots in Charles’ memory.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/operation-heal-our-patriots/.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia  30542 is in charge of arrangements.  Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.