Birth date: Sep 10, 1939 Death date: Jan 16, 2021
Ralph L. Alexander Watts, Jr. (Alec) was born September 10, 1939 in Memphis, Tennessee and passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021, at home with his loving wife, Renee, by his side. Alec lived in Memphis until his father, who Read Obituary
Such a beautiful and touching service, thank you for sharing.
I remember so many memories!!!! You will be dearly missed by so many. I will Cherish those memories. I will never forget the first time you laid eyes on my son you said Annie he looks just like you and he is very handsome young man!!!! I cherish every memory I have with you uncle Alec I miss you so much and I love you dearly.
There are just too many good memories to share, but suffice to say Alec and Renee certainly left an indelible mark on the Allen family. I will never forget when (as an accounting major in my last year at Memphis State University) I was summoned into the office of “Mr. Watts” (my first employer in my profession of choice). It was a nerve-wracking experience walking down the hall searching my brain to think of what I had done wrong. Imagine my relief when the message he had for me was a positive review of my work thus far that ended with “Call me Alec, from now on”. Little did I know at the time this was the pivotal moment when Alec’s role in my life began the transition from employer, to mentor, to rival (only when Ole Miss and Memphis played each other in football), to friend, to my CPA and ultimately to “family”. Alec has always been a part of my adult life; he mentored me in my career, we played golf, we went to the lake, we watched Tiger basketball and ate Formosa together. I am not sure when it started, but Renee, Alec, Pam, and I would have our annual Christmas light viewings (complete with Krispy Kreme donuts). Pam and I got married about two weeks after Renee and Alec, he was in our wedding, we watched Tiger basketball and ate Formosa together, he was there when my children were born, we continued our Christmas lights outing and my boys still reminisce about looking at Christmas lights with Uncle Alec and Aunt Renee (and the Krispy Kreme donuts). They actually asked at one point, is Uncle Alec really our Uncle? Again…too many good memories to share and the Good Lord willing, they will not be forgotten. However, I do regret that COVID prevented us from sharing that last round of golf and that last Tiger basketball game with Formosa together and that last Christmas lights viewing (and the Krispy Kreme donuts); THAT was one of our last conversations.
Alec had a powerful positive influence on so many lives and he certainly will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the Watts family as we carry on without a great man and our great friend Alec. Rest In Peace “Mr. Watts”, Rest In Peace.
With Love and Respect,
Mike, Pam, Michael, and Robert
For Judy, Alec's sister: This is Sarah Maddox. My husband Roland grew up with Alec Watts in Clarksdale, MS. His parents were good friends of Roland's parents. Alec and Roland were contemporaries both in high school and at Ole Miss. We both know his sister Judy very well, too.
Please know that we were saddened to hear of Alec's passing. Roland said that Alec was always a good guy. We renewed our contact with him when we joined the same church to which he now belonged. We wish we could be with all of you tomorrow. We pray that your family may experience God's comfort and love during this difficult time. Sarah O. Maddox
I am honored to know and love Uncle Alec. I remember so many wonderful memories of the times I got to spend with him and my Aunt. Like the times they took us to Maywood. How we would go to Lepanto ark for my grandmother's school festival. How Uncle Alec and aunt Renee took us to Bellevue church. How we would go swimming at their house with my children. How Uncle Alec and Aunt Renee took my daughter skating for the first time in her life. To see him smile at my daughter while holding her hand. These are just a few to name that really stick out to me. You will certainly be missed by so many but your memories and your legacy will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service and thank you for the love you shared with me and my children.
