Bessie Watts
Bessie Ruth Steele Watts peacefully passed from this earth on December 6, 2019, to be welcomed in a divine homecoming by her husband of 57 years, Fred C. Watts, daughter, Judy Watts Seaman, parents, John and Russie Steele, brothers Louis, J.W., Earl, and Marion Elmer Steele, and fur baby Little Bit.
Bessie affectionately known in this earthly life as “Mama”, “Memaw”, and “Meme” leaves a legacy of children and grandchildren including sons, Dennis Watts, Jimmy Watts, Ricky Watts, son-in-law, Craig (Joan) Seaman, grandchildren, Veronica Seaman (Tyrick Christian), Wesley (Sydney) Watts, Daniel Watts, Aaron (Noelle) Seaman, and Jaime Watts (Bowe Coffman), and great-grandchildren, Addilyn, Rowan, and Lawson Watts, Jobie Watts, Kennedy Coffman, and Lanie Seaman, and fur babies, Precious and Bingo. We will miss always and never forget her gentle, loving spirit.
As newlyweds, Bessie and her husband, Fred, lived in an apartment on Georgia Avenue. She worked at the Woolworth’s lunch counter in downtown Chattanooga. She frequently shared the story of how she quit her job because she and her best friend/cousin Betty could not take their lunch break together. They walked out one day and went to the movies instead!
Bessie and her husband, Fred, built their home and raised their family in Ooltewah on a beautiful farm. While she would admit she didn’t want to move out of the city to Ooltewah at first, it quickly became home. On the farm they raised their four children as well as numerous cows, dogs, cats, and a special pony named Trigger.
She was a long time member of Cross Roads Baptist Church. Fellow members looked forward to bake sales, Sunday suppers, and cake walks when she brought her infamous coconut and orange slice cakes for them to enjoy. She was an amazing cook; her family will recall how she baked with love for them the dishes we will always remember especially biscuits and gravy on the weekends.
A celebration of her life will be on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Ooltewah, followed by a burial at McDonald Cemetery. Family will receive friends and family at a visitation on Monday, Dec. 9, from 4-8 p.m. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home Valley View Chapel and on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 10-11 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association in memory of Bessie Watts.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com.
Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.