Mary Agnes McClelland Watts, 83, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in Statesville, North Carolina. She was born on September 23, 1942 in Iredell County to Willard Caldwell McClelland and Dora Wilson McClelland.
Mary was a member of Shiloh AME Zion Church. She attended Morningside High School and graduated magna cum laude from Winston-Salem State University. She went on to work as both a daycare teacher and a schoolteacher.
She was the “original” cake lady, an excellent seamstress, and a lyric soprano who enjoyed singing opera. Most of all she was a loving mother, grandmother, and aunt to many people.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Alfred Watts, Jr.; and her sister, Sharon Lonette McClelland.
She is survived by her sons, Russell Alfred Watts (Valerie), and William Louis Watts; her daughter, Tamra Mercedes Sawyer; brothers, Willard Murray McClelland, William Randolph McClelland (Jane), and Charles Michael McClelland; sisters, Sue Delores Nichols, Julia Elaine Davidson, Vanessa Dale Lackey; and Cheryl Janine Chalk (Anthony); grandchildren, Shantà Sawyer, Patrice Sawyer, William Louis Watts, II, Naomi Nichelle Watts Lunt, and David Franklin Watts; great grandchildren, Halajia Lawrence, Alexis Sawyer, Tylen Sawyer, Tyler Sawyer, Tyson Sawyer, and Karter Sawyer; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home. A homegoing service for Mrs. Watts will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh AME Zion Church with Rev. Henry Steele officiating. Interment will follow at Belmont Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Watts and her family.
