Curtis Watts Jr.

Journey Of Life

“The full fruit of a labor of love lives in the harvest, and that always comes in its right season…”

Curtis Watts, Jr. was born on December 2, 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland to Curtis Watts, Sr. and the late Delores A. Robinson-Watts.  Curtis was called home to be with the Lord in the early morning of October 24, 2021 surrounded by his loving family, and when he gave us a thumbs up, we knew, then, that it was well with his soul.

Curtis received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System. Curtis held several jobs, but what he enjoyed most was being crafty and working with his hands. Curtis was very talented and a true artist at heart. Just a glance at an image or from sheer memory, he could draw almost anything. He could also fix almost anything. Welding, masonry work, and working on his car; skills that he honed from his father, was his passion.

Curtis, affectionately known as Panny, Peter Pan, Bowling Head, Pop-pop and Pops, was loved by many. He was spoiled rotten by his Nana, Dora Noel, and she had no problem letting it be known that he was her favorite. He could do no wrong in her eyes.  Panny was the ultimate family man and a genuine friend. It was never too much for him to get on the road and come to Baltimore to visit his family and hook up with old friends to enjoy a little laughter and have some good old conversations. His infectious smile and laughter would just grow on you.

In the year 2000, Panny wanted to leave Baltimore for a new way of life. He was given a one-way ticket to Philadelphia on the Greyhound and never looked back.  He found employment working for Equinox Inc. for 20 years and enjoyed the comradery with his boss and his coworkers.

In 2010, Curtis met Robin Foxworth of Philadelphia, P.A. and their journey began. They were married August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland and joining the Watts clan was Timothy (Tim-Tim), Maurice (Reece) and Chelsea whom lovingly called him Pops. Curtis’s favorite pastime was watching sports or his favorite sitcom, Sanford and Son, with Robin.  Being with his family gave him great pleasure.  Smiling, laughing, and dancing is something he and Robin would often do on Friday nights.

As a young boy, Curtis was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He recommitted himself to the Savior as an adult, got baptized again with his wife Robin, and found a church home in Philadelphia at New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Elvis Lee Turner, Sr. Curtis was a faithful and devoted member of his church home and his church family. While in the hospital, he was sure to tell his wife and his sister Michelle (Annie), his Irish Twin, (because they remain the same age for two months) to be sure to pay his tithes.

Curtis was the first born of five siblings:  Panny, Annie, Manny, Candy and Randy. These were the nicknames given to us at birth. Our parents had a sense of humor and growing up in Douglass Homes, the “The Projects”, everyone knew those names. If momma called Panny, we all just followed suit because we were never sure which one of us she really wanted. Panny was always ready and willing to remind us that he was “The Big Brother”.

He was preceded in death by his mother Delores A. Watts, his grandmothers Dora Noel (his Nana), Dorothy Watts, grandfathers Samuel Watts, Sr., and Nathaniel Robinson of New York.

Curtis “Panny” leaves to cherish his memory his loving, caring and devoted wife Robin, father Curtis Watts, Sr., Stepmother Porsha Watts, children Sophia (Travis), Nieshia, Chelsea, Timothy (Kristie), and Maurice. Grandchildren, Akaya, Darryl, Ameria, Catherine, and Maurice, Jr., His siblings, Michelle, Eric, Roslyn (Donald), Craig, Sean, Cornell and Anthony. Nephews Tavon, Barry, Eric, Chris, Craig, Jr., and Dominique, Nieces, Teela, Erica, and Myah, and Robin (his Special niece), Great Nieces Lyric, Nadiyah, and Kaylee, Great Nephews, Barry, Jr., Chris, Jr., Aiden, Sayid(Boogaloo) and Sailer(Fat-Man), Sister-n-Law Theresa Foxworth, Brother-n-Laws Timothy Foxworth (Angela), and Donald Wise, three Aunts, Loveline Thompkins (Jesse), Linda Copeland and Doris Mosley, two uncles, Samuel (Sharon) and David (Kim), lifelong best friend and confident Sam McClennon. And a host of cousins, and other family members, relatives and friends. His other best friend, his cat Smokey.

 My Husband, My Best friend

My heart aches with sadness because you’re not here with me. Words cannot describe how that makes me feel, knowing you’re not by my side to help my broken heart to heal.

I just sit quietly with closed eyes, hoping to see your face again, hear your voice whisper in my ear, the sound of your laughter to light the room again.

I find myself thinking of the good times we shared, the dancing, the singing, and acting like kids again. But I will always hold the memories of you, that will never fade, I will cherish and celebrate you each and every day. I need you to know you mean the world to me, I respect you, I Love you for being the man you were, the eleven years we shared together was worth the living,

My Endless Love,

Your wife, Robin

Dad,

Riding to work will never be the same, our morning talks with laughter and smiles is now a memory that will always last. It’s been the hardest thing to lose you, you meant so much to me

But you are in my heart DAD

And that’s where you’ll always be.

I know that heaven called you, But I wish you could have stayed

At least the memories I have of you, they will never fade

I did not want to lose you, but you did not go alone because a part of me went with you,

when heaven called you home, so just remember one thing

We are not apart, You’re with me in my memories and

In my broken heart.

Remembering you always

   Your Daughter,

 Sophia

In My Heart

I thought of you today, but that is nothing new

I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name

Now all I have are memories, and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake, with which I’ll never part.

God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.

I’ll carry you with me always,

                                                                                    Your Daughter

Nieshia

My Bonus Dad

There are no words to express what you mean to me, and for being the Dad you did not have to be.

A beautiful person with a wonderful heart, I miss you so much, since we had to part.

We may have not been related by blood, but you loved me more than anyone. I’ll treasure the memories and I will not be sad, because I was lucky to have the perfect Step-Dad.

Love Always,

Chelsea

Brother,

Our family chain was broken and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.

We Love and Miss you dearly,

Annie, Manny, Candy, Randy, Sean, Cornell and Anthony

My Oldest Son,

Son, of all the special gifts in life, great or small, to have you as a son, was the greatest gift of all.

Special time, special face, a special Son I can’t replace.

Gone are the days we shared, but in my heart you’ll always be there.

The gates of memories will never close, I will miss you more than anyone knows.

With a broken heart, I love you and will miss you every day.

-Pop 

Interment

Private

Acknowledgements

The family of the late Curtis Watts, Jr., gratefully acknowledge the many kind and beautiful expressions of sympathy and love shown during our time of bereavement.

Repast

Sudanese American Community Center

1135 S. 58th Street

Philadelphia, P.A 19143