Jimmie Hop Watts

Jimmie Hop Watts, Jr., fondly called Hoppy and Hopper, died June 6, 2019 in Bay City, Michigan, where he resided for the last 46 years. He was born in Baxter, Tennessee, on February 16, 1952, the sixth child of Dora Prill Maddux (daughter of Oscar Jack Maddux and Sarah Cole) and Hop Watts (son of John Marley Watts and Ocia Whittaker), who precede him in death. He graduated from Upperman High School whereupon he received an appointment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and moved to Washington, D.C. in 1970. After attending Georgetown University, he later received a degree from Delta College, Bay County, Michigan. He retired from Consumers Power Company after 37 years of service in 2012. He was an avid motorcyclist, humorist, collector of all sorts of things, including motorcycles, cars and tools. He was a member of the Free Masons and UWA Local #144. He enjoyed riding, country air, laughter, cooking, barbecuing, sky watching, photography, lightning shows, a good rain, music, time with friends and family. He loved reading, storytelling and history. Hoppy is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother, Lewis Claude (Mousie) Watts, and niece, Katie Kinniard Worley. He is survived by two children, daughter Jennifer Fay Wattsmith (husband, Walter), son Jeffrey Marc Watts (wife, Cathi); five grandchildren; siblings, Whitley Watts, Sara Futrell (friend, Harold Fields), sister-in-law Dowlene Maxwell Watts, Faye Watts, Roy Watts (wife, Shirley), and Jean Kinniard (husband, Keith Kinniard, Jr.); girlfriend, Miss Arliss Filcek; ex-wife, Carol Watts; and thirteen nieces and nephews. You are invited to celebrate his life this Saturday, June 22nd, at 1:00 p.m. at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home, 532 4th Ave., Baxter, Tennessee, with family and friends. He will be interred with a private Masonic Graveside Service at the Cole-Maddux Cemetery in the Cedar Hill Community in Baxter, Tennessee. Family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 1900 Richmond Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)858-2134 You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.