Charlie McCoy WATTS

     Charlie McCoy WATTS, son of George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed, was born on 16 April 1885 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.¹

Charlie McCoy WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 11 June 1900, in the household of his parents George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. He was fifteen years old and attending school.²

Charlie married Martha Jane KINNARD on 12 September 1906 at the home of J. E. Kinnard in Bibb County, Alabama. L.^1,3

Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 3 May 1910 in Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as C. M. Watts, a 24-year-old whose occupation was hauling logs, and his 21-year-old wife, Martha. This was the first marriage for each and they had been married five years. Martha was the mother of two children, both living. Both could read and write, and were renting their home. Their children were Craythern [Crathon], 2, and Otis, 8 months old. They were mistakenly listed as female. Living next door were Martha's parents, J. E. and S. S. Kinard. Mr. Kinard operated a general store.⁴

With no end in sight for World War I, the United States instituted it's third and final registration. It included all men who were between the ages of 18 and 21, and 31 to 45 years of age. This added younger men than the previous registrations, those who were born between September 12, 1897 and September 12, 1900; and added an older group of men, born between September 12, 1873 and September 12, 1888. Charlie filled out a draft card on 12 September 1918 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. He was 33 years old and living in Centreville. He was employed as a teamster by D. A. Reed of Eoline in Bibb County. He was of medium height and build with blue eyes and black hair. E. P. Burt was the registar.⁵

Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 February 1920 in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as C. M. Watts, a 32-year-old blacksmith, and his wife, Martha, age 31. Their children were Craythan, 12; Otis, 10; Pascal, 6; Cecil, 3 years 9 months; and Eldridge, 8 months old. They lived on the Scottsville road. They purchased small farm near Centreville in 1923. Charlie worked as a foreman for Roland Belcher Lumber Co. while his wife and children operated the farm.⁶

Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 April 1930 in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as C.M. Watts, 44-year-old woods forman for a saw mill; Martha, his 42-year-old wife; and their six children: Otis M., 20; Pascal, 16; Cecil, 14; Eldridge, 10; Wayne, 7; and Gesner, 1 year, 6 months. Otis ran the family farm and his brothers, Pascal and Cecil worked for him.⁷

Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane WATTS appeared in a newspaper article 16 August 1945 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Watts Have Three Boys in Service -- Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Watts of near Centreville have three sons in service. They are as follows: Pvt. Charlie Cecil Watts, Sgt. Eldridge C. Watts and Cpl. Wayne L. Watts.

Pvt. Cecil Watts has now been in the service about ten months and is now in the Army of occupation in Germany. He was formerly stationed at Camp Robinson, Ark. before going overseas.

Sgt. Edldridge Watts, who has been in the service now about four years and is now with the 7th Division on Okinawa. His mother got a telegram stating that he was wounded in the fighting there but he is now getting along fine. He was formerly in the invasion of Attu, Kawalejin, Layte and Okinawa and is now expected home soon.

Cpl. Wayne L. Watts who has been in the service two and a half years has just returned to camp after a sixty-three day furlough. Cpl. Watts formerly served with the 45th Division in the 5th and 7th Armies. He formerly fought in Italy, France and Germany. He was wounded and captured in January and after being a prisoner for about 4 months was liberated. He is now returned to Miami Beach, Fla. for reassignment.

Charlie McCoy WATTS was identified as her surviving husband in Martha Jane KINNARD's obituary in the Centreville Press newspaper, dated 26 July 1962, published in Centreville, Alabama.

Charlie McCoy WATTS died on 27 August 1970 in Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama, at age 85.⁸ He was buried in Brent Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.