Emma Jean (Williams) Watts

Emma Jean (Williams) Watts, age 75, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on April 12, 2026. She was born on December 31, 1950, in Emerson, Arkansas, to Jacob Williams and Callie Mae (Wesley) Ford. On September 15, 1973, in Camden, Arkansas, at Saint Paul Baptist Church, she married her beloved husband, Lonnie Lee Watts Jr., and together built a life centered around family, faith, and community.

Emma was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School in Camden, Arkansas. She continued her education at Henderson State University and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she earned both a Master’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She went on to serve in education as a teacher at the Adult Education Center, and a Professor at University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, where she impacted many lives through her work.

Her commitment to service extended far beyond her career. Emma was a passionate community advocate and leader, mentoring young people and supporting numerous organizations. She served as an advisor to student groups STEP(Students Together Effectively Progressing) and BSA(Black Student Association), led Brownie and Girl Scout troops, and was deeply involved in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she was a founding member of the Henderson State Undergrad and Fort Smith Grad chapters. She also played a key role in organizing the Delta Sigma Theta Debutante Ball for many years and contributed her time to the Phyllis Wheatley Club and various scholarship boards.

A devoted woman of faith, Emma was a dedicated member of Harvest Time Church for over 30 years. Her life reflected her strong belief in God, and she enjoyed serving her community through her church. Emma found joy in traveling to visit her family and cherished every moment spent with her loved ones. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, faith, and unwavering dedication. She was a kind and caring child of God, and there was nothing more important to her than her Lord and her family.

She is survived by her loving husband, Lonnie Lee Watts Jr.; her children, Derrick (Nicole) Joe, Veronica (Darcey) Roy, Christopher Watts, Nicole Watts, and Brandon (Concietta) Watts; and her nine cherished grandchildren: Isaiah, Jacob, Jon, Ladanya, Danica, Stevie, Kristiana, Caleb, and Tatiana. She is also survived by her siblings: Ernestine Elliott, Johnny Ford (Opal), Verna Ellis (Jessie), Roosevelt Scover, Albert Hearvey, Dr. Rundall Hearvey, Teresa Ware, Rickey Knight, Larry Ailes, Dr. Janssen Williams, Dr. Cornelius Williams, Gladys Vinson, David Stennis, Shelly Milton, L.T. Thomas, Isaiah Williams, Doris Marie Baymon, Dr. Karen Williams, Shannon Whitley, and Daryl Watson; along with a host of extended family members, including nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Emma was preceded in death by her father, Jacob Williams; her mother, Callie Mae Ford; step-father, Ernest Ford; and her siblings, Erma Richardson, Cheryl Richardson, Henry O’Neal, Betty Williams, Jacob Williams Jr., Carl Williams, David Cooper, and Patricia Bennett.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Lewis Funeral Chapel. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Harvest Time Church, located at 3100 Briarcliff Avenue in Fort Smith. Burial will follow on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Fort Smith National Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel.

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