Joseph Ernest Watts

Mr. Joseph Ernest Watts, 83, of Morganton, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, April 23, 2011. Born February 22, 1928, in Burke County, he was a son of the late James McKinley Watts and Mary Alice Deal Carswell. In addition to his parents, Mr. Watts was also preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Jurosko, a step-son, Gregory Nelson “Toby” Dale, a brother, James McKinley Watts, Jr. and a sister, Kathleen Watts Clarke. Mr. Watts was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church, Morganton. Mr. Watts proudly served his county in the US Air Force. During his military career, Mr. Watts served in many theaters of duty including 1948 in Japan, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. Mr. Watts retired with Honors in August, 1968. He attended Western Piedmont Community College and Catawba Valley Community College and later served at Drexel Furniture, Morganton, until his second retirement. Mr. Watts was a member of the US Air Force Sergeants Association and the American Legion.

His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 51 years, Edna Clarke Watts, of the home;

two sons, Joseph E. Watts, Jr., & fiancé, Jackie, of Morganton and Lee Watts & wife, Jean, of Killeen, TX;

two step-sons, Benny Dale & wife, Janet and Danny Ray Dale, all of Morganton;

a brother, Edwin Watts & wife, Rachel, of Las Vegas, NV;

a sister, Ruby Wise & husband, Jim, of Morganton;

five grandchildren, Jimmy Lee Watts, Joseph Benjamin Watts, Jason Dale & wife, JoeLe, Angela Dehart & husband, Ronn, and Brandi Browning;

a great grandchild, Chloe Dale;

a step-great grandchild, Taylor Dehart and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Watts will be held 2:00PM, Tuesday, April 26, 2011, Graveside, at the Bethel United Methodist Church, Morganton, with the Reverend Butch Osborne officiating. Full military rites will be provided by the US Air Force. Mr. Watts will lie in state at Kirksey Funeral Home, Morganton until Noon Tuesday. The family will receive friends 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Monday, April 25, 2011, at the residence on 608 E Parker Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Watts memory to The American Diabetes Association, Charlotte Office, 222 South Church Street, Suite 336M, Charlotte, NC 28202 or to the Bethel United Methodist Building Fund, 1328 Bethel Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Kirksey Funeral Home in Morganton has the honor of serving the Watts Family.