Joy (Whitaker) Watts

Joy Whitaker Watts, of Sandlick passed away Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Whitesburg Appalachian Hospital in Whitesburg, Ky.  She was the daughter of the late Roy and Nannie Belle Caudill Whitaker and was born on September 20, 1929, at Premium, Ky. being 92 years 7 months and 16 days of age at the time of her passing. She spent the entirety of her life in the communities of Elsie Coal (Premium) and Johnson Fork. Joy is survived by one son, Wayne (Kim) Watts of Sandlick, two daughters:  Juanita Hensley of Clearwater, Fl, and Sonja (Ben) West of Premium.  Also surviving are eight grandchildren Kenneth Hensley, Shannon Dick (Justin) Misty Hensley (James), Derrick Watts (Krystal), Wade Whitehead (Jenny), Stephen West, Martha Cox (TJ), Rebekah West, Matt West, and Josh West (Ashley).  Extended family include great grandchildren by lineage and by heart Mariyah, Christan, Jayden, Kenna, Jada, Breanna, Kissee, Kelly, Andrew, Adam, Stonie, Shiloh, Skylar, Anakin, Hayden, Sara, Emma, Bella, Ian, Gideon, Zara, and Zoe plus one great-great grandson Elijah Chase.  Joy was preceded in death by one daughter Wanda Whitehead (Kenny) 2020, one grand-daughter Leah Erin and one great grandson Nikolaus Draven. Born into a large family she was the last surviving member of nine children which included Amos, Amon, Aaron, Danus, Mary, Martha, Grace, and Gloria.

Joy met and married the love of her life Green Watts in October 1952, whom upon first seeing him told a friend … “well he’s a pretty little thing but there ain’t much of him”.  That “little love” however lasted a lifetime and produced a passel of beloved children and grandchildren who have fond memories of parents who were devoted to each other, to God and to the unity of family. They were often cuddled and dandled upon the knees and rocked to sleep by the hymns of Heaven Sweet Heaven (his favorite song) and Beulah Land (her favorite song).  Married for 48 years she and Green were best friends and soul mates until his death in 2000. Joy lived a quiet and humble life and possessed a strong work ethic. Tough and resilient, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family and during her early life worked as a caregiver, doing odd jobs, and sitting with the ill and invalid. In her later years she worked as a bus driver, a cook, and a foster grandparent.

 Throughout her life Joy professed a deep and abiding faith in the Lord. She and Green joined and were baptized into the Cedar Grove Old Regular Baptist Church in 1973 and remained faithful members of this church until their deaths.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a prayer warrior like no other. Her love for her family, friends and those in need, and her un-ending wisdom far surpassed her longevity of life. Her family, though saddened by her loss, heralds her passing with thankful hearts, believing that her tears have been bottled in heaven and that she has earned her peace and place of refuge in arms of the Lord.

A private graveside service for immediate family only will be held at the Watts Family Cemetery in Johnson Fork on Sunday May 8, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. with a special prayer by grandson Kenneth Hensley. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family kindly accepts your love and friendship as condolence enough.

Letcher Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.