Octavia Agatha Bell Watts (Lansing)

Octavia Agatha Bell Watts made her peaceful transition from this life on the morning of Friday, November 9, 2018 after a long, hard fought battle. Age 94 years. The eldest of five children, Octavia was born April 12, 1924 in Charleston, Missouri to Edward and Aroma Bell.

Octavia was a graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration. While there, Octavia sang soprano with the acclaimed Lincoln University Choir. Octavia’s love of music was evident as she ministered in song, especially when she sang The Lord’s Prayer. She served in the Friendship Baptist Church Chancel Choir and was a member of the Earl Nelson Singers for over 50 years with whom she performed on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, for the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus in the Michigan Rotunda and at Carnegie Hall with several choirs directed by Dr. Eugene Thamon Simpson. She is quoted to have said, “I hope we continue in the same direction with our commitment and dedication to keeping Spirituals alive.”

As an undergraduate at Lincoln, Octavia was initiated into the Alpha Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in the spring of 1945 and remained a member of the Sorority for 73 years. She has been active with Delta Tau Omega Chapter in Lansing, Michigan for over 45 years where she was a member of the Delta Tau Omega Choir. She served on several committees, including Membership, the Graduating Senior Salute and Scholarship Luncheon. Professionally, she was a secretary for the Veterans Administration in Charleston, Missouri and the Missouri Public Schools. She was also the secretary for 29 years at Friendship Baptist Church.

She leaves to cherish her memory eight children; Brenda Arrington of Keswick, Virginia, Sandra Watts of Lansing, Michigan, Stephen (JoLynette) Watts of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Reginald (Kimberly) Watts of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Angela (Thoni) Fuqua of Lansing, Michigan, Cecilia Hutson of Detroit, Michigan, William (Landria) Watts of Sterling Heights, Michigan and Christina (Nate) Myles of Ypsilanti, Michigan; stepdaughters, Peggy Wilburn of Chicago, Illinois and Charles Etta Smith of Bastrop, Louisiana; grandchildren; Angus Arrington IV, Renata (Corey) Sanders, Lisa Watts, Anthony Watts, Aaron Porter, Kimberly Watts, Breonna Watts, Jaeden Watts, Kristen Fuqua, Evan Fuqua, Justin Fuqua, Derrick Hutson, Morgan Hutson, Taylor Hutson, Zachary Hutson, Tyler Gilbert, Sajil Watts, Legacy Watts, Keith Watts, Adam Watts, Taeler (Joseph) Hammond, Rob Wilburn, Michael Smith, Tanya Smith Pettigrew and Joe Paul Smith; many great and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Clarence Bell of Florissant, Missouri; favorite niece and nephew, Angela Bell and Clarence Bell, Jr. also of Florissant, Missouri; many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends including a special friend, Ruby Daniel, whom she loved like a daughter.

Octavia is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Julius P. Watts, Sr.; her parents, Edward and Aroma Bell; two sisters, Lona Bell and Rosemary Kemp; and brother, Gary Bell; daughter, Alethea Watts, and stepson, Julius Watts, Jr.

In honor of Octavia Bell Watts, a donation to the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) Association has been made by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® chapters, Eta Phi Omega of Charlottesville, Virginia and Psi Phi Omega of Baltimore, Maryland.

Donations in honor of Mrs. Octavia Agatha Bell Watts may be sent to:
ALS of Michigan
24359 Northwestern Highway - Suite 100
Southfield, Michigan 48075
Phone: 800.882.5764
Website: https://www.alsofmichigan.org/


Acknowledgements

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to all who have supported us during this time of loss. Thanks to Sparrow Hospice, Hospice of Washtenaw County, Residential Hospice of Lansing and the wonderful care givers from Grand Haven Living Center who extended themselves so graciously and treated our Mama as if she were their own. Very special thanks to Risé Alexander who answered God’s call to see that Mama could attend her beloved Friendship Baptist Church Sunday School week after week.

~ The Watts Family~