Richard Oliver Watts, 57, gathered his heavenly wings and went home to be with Jesus on April 9, 2009. A native of Greenville and the son of Herbert and Ollie Watts, he was born May 5, 1951. He received his early education in the Butler County School System. In 1977, he received his BA degree from Alabama A & M University. He was honorably discharged from the US Army May 1984. On March 1988, he married Emma D. Aldridge.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Olivia Vernae Watts.
Survivors are his loving wife of 21 years, Emma; parents, Herbert (Olie) Watts; three sons, Michael Alexander Watts Jr. and Corey Cannon; daughter, Tierrs (TEE) Demings; two stepsons, Rev. Jerome Dametrius (Johari) Canady and Vincent Antonio Eldridge of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Helen Joyce Brewer of Greenville; three brothers, Ralph Preston Watts of Greenville, MIchael Don (Marianne) Watts of Germany and James Edward (Cheryl) Watts of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; three sisters-in-law, Hestor (Don) Harris, Valeria Effiong and Margaretta Eldridge, all of Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law, David (Tina) Eldridge, Beaelton, Va.l two aunts, Susie Cooper of Pensacola and Mrs. Artie Eldridge of Columbus, Ohio, and many loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.