Jody was born on February 15, 1964, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Albert and Willie Mae Ferguson Watts. He grew up in Colyell alongside his four siblings: Velford "Earl", Larry "Dale", Velma "Inell", and Carl "Monkey", and was known from an early age for his sense of humor.
Linda was born on August 9, 1961, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Roosevelt and Mary Gayle Taylor. She grew up with her two siblings, Ricky and Karen.
Jody and Linda married on October 24, 1987, in Colyell. Their life together was full of big family dinners, weekends camping, and trips across the country.
Jody is remembered as someone full of life and laughter, who knew exactly how to push a person's buttons and how to get a laugh out of them. His family will remember him as a stubborn, kind man.
Linda is remembered as a kind, joyful woman: a loving mom, a wonderful mother-in-law, and a devoted grandmother who could make anyone feel at home immediately. Her presence was steady, and she spent her life serving. She dedicated much of her career to developing and growing the Livingston Activity Center. Her family will also remember her as the great "historian" of the family — there was never a holiday or vacation that passed without her camera in hand.
Together, Jody and Linda loved camping, fishing, and enjoying God's creation. They made it a point to travel to national and state parks with their family, and those memories live on in Linda's photography. In their later years, they devoted their time and talents to serving their church, Colyell Baptist Church, and were always ready to meet a need in their family, church, or community.
In their role as grandparents, they made sure their grandchildren wanted for nothing. Whether playtime, hugs, or long FaceTime calls, they never missed a moment. They loved their grandchildren fiercely and cherished their role in their lives as Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw. They were pillars in their community and their families, adoring grandparents who would have done anything for their grandchildren.
The loss of this couple is tremendous. Their life together felt far too short, but it was full, purposeful, and meaningful. We celebrate the hope of their faith in Jesus Christ and take great comfort that they are with their Creator.
They are survived by their children, Allen Watts (wife Heather) and Jacob Watts (wife Emily); their grandchildren Avery Watts, Wesley Watts, and Riley Duncan; Jody's siblings, Earl (wife Laquita) and their family, Dale (wife Redonna) and their family, Inell (husband Aubrey) and their family, and Monkey (wife Yvette) and their family; and Linda's mother, Mary Taylor, and Linda’s siblings, Ricky (wife Vanessa) and Karen Martin and her family.
Jody was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Willie Mae Ferguson Watts. Linda was preceded in death by her grandmother, Cleo “Honey” Gayle, grandfather, John Gayle, father, Roosevelt Taylor, and brother-in-law Donnie Martin.
The Services for Jody & Linda will be held at Colyell Baptist Church 19524 LA Hwy 42, Livingston, LA. The wake will be on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and will resume on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM. Burial in Colyell Cemetery. Reception to Follow.
