George Watts

George E. Watts VIRGINIA BEACH - George Elmer "Chief" Watts, 84, passed away at home Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. A native of Portsmouth, George was a graduate of I.C. Norcom High School, Class of 1942. He earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Virginia Union University where he played fullback on the Panthers football team. He received a Master's of Arts degree from Hampton Institute and completed doctoral studies at New York University. He taught at I.C. Norcom High School from 1961 to 1963 and served as the director of Placement at Norfolk State University from 1963 until his retirement in 1992. He is survived by three daughters, Brenda Wiggins, Renee Spivey and her spouse William and Bonita Griffin and her spouse Gerald. He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Tracy Wiggins, Stephanie Brown, Jason and Fostina Ellis, Jennifer Burge, Miles Watts and Michael J. Watts; two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Noah Burge; three sisters, Bertha Gerrard, Margaret Gerrard and Carleen Holmes; and a host of other relatives. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in Ebenezer Baptist Church, 729 Effingham St., Portsmouth. The Rev. Leroy Hill Jr. will preside. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. The family will assemble at Corprew Funeral Home, 1822 Portsmouth Blvd., Portsmouth, one hour before the service.