Leonard and Jeannette Watts

Watts, Leonard Duane
Watts, Jeannette Lorraine Allein, Lewis,


On July 8, 2007, due to a horrific private plane crash near Louisville, KY, Duane Watts of El Dorado Hills, CA, perished. On July 9, 2007, Jeannette Watts died of injuries sustained in the crash. Also on board were Duane's sister Wanda Lupton and her 10 year old granddaughter Shelby Cummings both of El Dorado, AR, who miraculously survived.

Jeannette and Duane had flown to Illinois to attend a family reunion of Duane's relatives and were traveling to visit close friends in Kentucky. Their next stop was to be Salt Lake City, UT, where they were to attend a bridal fair and to connect with Jeannette's daughter Lynette Lewis and grandchildren Dominic Scotch and Dana Morris.

Jeannette was born Jeannette Lorraine Allein in Denver, CO, on Aug. 8, 1929. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1950. Duane was born July 30, 1949, in Marshall, AR, and attended the University of Illinois before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Jeannette is survived by her loving daughters Lisa Morris (John) of Loomis, CA, and Lynette Lewis of El Dorado Hills, CA, four adoring grandchildren, Vanessa Morris, Haley Morris, Dana Morris, and Dominic Scotch, her brother Kenneth Allein (Jean) of Salt Lake City, UT, sister Anita Bill (George) of Sacramento, CA, and Jeannette's first husband Ret. Lt. Col. Mortimer J. Lewis (USAF). Duane's survivors include his beloved mother Shirley Watts of Monticello, IL, daughter Lisa Watts of Sacramento, CA, sisters Virginia Hoisted of Alpena, AR, Kathleen Culbertson (Wendell) of Pena, IL, Wanda Lupton of El Dorado, AR, Margaret Ingle of St. Louis Park, MN, and Joyce Roberts (Douglas) of Manfield, IL. Also left to mourn them are multitudes of nieces, nephews, loving friends and dear employees.

Jeannette and Duane were predeceased by Duane's father Vernon Watts, and his infant daughter Laura Watts, Jeannette's parents Ina and John Allein, and her infant grandson Derek Morris. This extraordinary couple married in 1981 and began their journey and life's dream of creating hope and happiness in the retail bridal industry. In addition to the well-known local Bridal Mart in Rancho Cordova, CA, they owned two additional stores in Albany, CA, and Fremont, CA, plus Oak Leigh Wedding and Reception Center in Fair Oaks, CA. Jeannette and Duane were adventurous world travelers; Duane was a pilot for 30 years and they both loved the excitement and convenience of having their own plane. They were both nurturing and supportive individuals who believed in personal perseverance. They were known to help those less fortunate, taking them into their own home and giving them a chance to restart their lives. Jeannette and Duane never turned their backs to anyone. Be they kings and queens or paupers, Jeannette and Duane would call them friends.

A celebration of Jeannette and Duane's lives will be held on Sunday, July 29. Please call Debbie Doutt at (916) 939-9121 or Debbie Cunnagin at (916) 349-2591 for further information.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the Watt's name can be made to Amnesty International, 350 Sansome St. Suite 630, San Francisco, CA 94104, Baptist Bible Fellowship International, P.O. Box 191, Springfield, MO, 65801-0191, in care of Craig and Amanda Dyson, CARE at CARE Gift Center, P.O. Box 1871, Merrifield, VA 22116-9753, Salvation Army, 229 W. Main, Decatur, IL 62523, or the Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102.

Please sign and view the online guest book to share your memories at www.sacbee.com/funeraldesk.