James Watts

James Watts, born Buster Brown Allen on January 14, 1923 in DeFuniak Springs, FL. to the late Susie Dillard and Willie Allen. He simultaneously took his last breath on earth and first breath in Heaven on Saturday, March 16, 2013. After the untimely passing of his mother when he was 12, Buck was reared by aunts and uncles, most prominently his Aunt Polly. At age 19 James enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Central Europe and earning the American Theater Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with two bronze starts and the World War Two Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on 13 November 1945.

In 1948 James married his bride-for-life, Hattie Jowers. From this union three daughters were launched to make their marks in the world
James surrendered to Christ as Lord as a young man. He became a member of the Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn where he served as an usher on the Men's Usher Board and an officer of the Joint Boards of Ushers. He also sang with the Ushers Chorus of Bethany and the 3B's Ushers Chorus. Ushering soon proved to be his passion and James became an instructor in the school of Ushering of the Church Ushers Association of Brooklyn and Long Island. Through the Ushers Association, James served as Treasurer of the Association, Treasurer of the Thomas A Ellis Alumni Tribe Number 1, Instructor and Treasurer of the Church Ushers Association of New York State, he served in the Eastern Region and was an Instructor for the School of Ushering of the National United Church Ushers Association, where James was granted his Bachelor's Degree in Ushering.
After 40 years of employment, James retired as a cook for Kings County Hospital. During this season of his life, James pursued his interests as an usher and also studied to improve his reading skills.

When the strain of life in Brooklyn became more than they could bear, James and Hattie moved to Lake City, FL, where they had family. In Lake City, they united with New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where Pastor Alvin J. Baker serves faithfully as undershepherd. Among family again, Uncle Buck had no problem finding his sweet spot at New Bethel . . . ushering.
In 2006, health related issues prompted another move for James and Hattie, this time to Louisville, KY to be near their daughter. Here they united with Brownsboro Baptist Church, led by Pastor James L. Izlar. While health did not allow James to serve as an usher, he and Hattie brought grace and dignity to Brownsboro whenever they were there.

In December 2009, James was admitted to the Richwood Nursing Home in LaGrange, KY where he received loving professional care until his death.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by
James leaves to continue his legacy his wife, Hattie; daughters Patricia Marie Lewis, Qaraandin, and Denise Watts-Wilson; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Emily Johnson of Orlando, Fl; brother- in-law Willie Allen (Annie Lou) of Landover, MD, sister-in-law Janie Jowers of Lake City, FL. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, fellow ushers, friends, and the caring staff of the Richwood Nursing Home.
The family would also like to acknowledge the wonderful assistance of the nurses, and staff of Hosparus in making James' homegoing as comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests thata expressions of sympathy be made to the James Watts Memorial Fund c/o Fifth Third Bank.