Charles Anna Watts

Charles Anna "Chicken" Watts was born December 15, 1926 to Charles Henry and Jane Lee in Midway, Kentucky. She would later relocate to Middletown, Ohio where she completed high school.

Shortly after starting her family and during the time her husband served in the Korean War she began raising her first three children while working at Wright Patterson Air force base in Dayton, Ohio; yet, her service work did not end there. Throughout her life, she was a mentor for her family and friends.

After her second union in marriage and the birth of her youngest son, she and her husband made homestead in Evanston where she survived him and resided there for 36 years. Charles Anna was often sought for nonjudgmental empathy and compassion. Her life involved numerous acts of kindness and service work, never turning a lost soul away.

During the first part of life, Charles Anna was an active congregation member and steward at Allen Temple Church, where she would participate in the Federated Club for 20 years. Later in life, she served as a member of the St. Mark Catholic Parish and volunteering in the parish's elementary school system. In her early forties, her youngest daughter's father who affectionately named her "Chicken", as well as the elder children would continue serving the community through community involvement and small business commerce in the Evanston community.

Charles Anna was active and energetic; she embraced life in all forms. She had a love of children, animals, and gardening as her home and yard always reflected this. She recently described herself as a country girl who loved the city. She was an avid reader and readily welcomed philosophical debates and stimulating intellectual conversations. Most often, these interactions were held around her kitchen table where she always provided a delectable spread which I am sure you all would agree. A great hostess she was; she had a great love for music, singing, and dancing, always encouraging celebration. As we, her surviving loved ones shall celebrate her today!

Charles Anna is survived by her children, George Thomas Hughley, Charles Richard Hughley, Wesley Milburn and Desiree` Watts; grandchildren, Thomas Isley Hughley, Brian Hughley, Lauren Austin-Hughley, Deja Watts and, Justin Lee; loving brother and sister's families, Reverend and Mrs. Bonita and Allen Keene, and son Joshua, and Reverend Page and Benella Patterson; and a long list of many family members and loved ones whose lives she touched through the grace of God.

Special Thanks to the staff at Barbra Park and Harmony Court nursing facilities over the years. The Family would like to make special mention to the dedicated staff of Evercare Hospice in conjunction with St. Margaret Hall who provided exceptional care for Charles Anna's and a place of solace during her yearlong stay.


Ch 16 verse 15-17 Wisdom of Solomon

"15 To escape from your hand is impossible; (16) for the ungodly, refusing to know you, were flogged by the strength of your arm, pursued by unusual rains and hail and relentless storms, and utterly consumed by fire. 17 For—most incredible of all—in water, which quenches all things, the fire had still greater effect, for the universe defends the righteous."