Staff Sergeant Matthew Jerome Watts was born in Desota, GA on February 27, 1969; and changed his address on July 12, 2024, to a place where there is no suffering or pain.  Jerome was baptized at an early age and was a member of St. John Baptist Church in Leslie, GA.

Jerome was a jack of all trades.  He was proud, confident, loving, strong-willed, opinionated, and Georgia Boy Strong." He loved to play cards, travel, dance, eat and spend time with family.  Living life to the fullest was always important to him.  No conversation about Jerome would be complete without talking about his love for football.  He would tell anyone who would listen that he was a Steelers fan through and through.  He simply was unique, a carp diem type of guy who always took every opportunity that he could to seize the day.

Jerome graduated from Sumter Comprehensive High School in Americus, GA in 1988.  After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army as Staff Sergeant  and was deployed to Saudi Arabia.  While serving in the Army, Jerome was also installed as Worshipful Master of Charles Green Military Lodge 29, located in Camp Page South Korea, working under the grand lodge of Colorado jurisdiction.

Jerome relocated to Canton, Oho after serving in the Army.  He continued his education by attending Kent State University receiving a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.  Jerome believed that you could never have too much education.  After college, he was employed at Canton City Schools as a teacher.  He was later briefly employed at TA Trucking and Stark Metro Housing.  His true passion was being an entrepreneur.  Jerome was the owner of Watts Home Improvement, and he invested in multiple business ventures, including rental properties.  He would say, "If you weren't making money, you weren't making sense."  He mastered the craft like no other.  Even as his body began to succumb to illness, his mind remained sharp, always planning and thinking ahead.  Nothing stopped him from doing all that he could to make sure that his family was safe and in good care.

Jerome accomplished so much and overcame so many obstacles in his life.  He accomplished more on this earth in a short period of time than many get to do in a lifetime.  He was that "Man".  He completed his assignment, writing his book from beginning to end.  He set the foundation for all of those he loved and who loved him in return.  He left a legacy that will last a lifetime.  He exchanged his mortal address for a heavenly one and is in a place of peace and rest.  Jerome was preceded in death by his grandparents, Eddie Dee Mathis, Rev. Arthur and Clara Watts; great grandparents, Arthur and Arlena Deriso, Johnny B. and Hattie Mathis; sister, Juanita Pitt; and nephew, Zachery Watts.

Jerome leaves to cherish precious memories of him, wife, Ann Watts; parents, Rena Watts of Leslie, GA, David Watts of Desota, GA and Willie B. (Krissy) Hogan of Scranton, PA; children, Teara Watts and Matthew (Dasia) Watts, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL and Blessing Watts of Canton, OH; children-in-love, Natasha Latimore of Canton, OH, William White of Cincinnati, OH and Sha'Miracle Watts of Leslie, GA; grandparents, Vickie Mathis of Desota, GA, and Lillie Mathis of Cordele, GA; siblings, David (Barbara) Watts of Atlanta, GA, Cassandra (Mario) Dice of Americus, GA, NaKia Watts of Leslie, GA, Timothy (Shateria) Watts of Dacula, GA, Marcus Watts of Americus, GA, Monique, DeShawn and Devon Hogan, all of Scranton, PA.; sisters-in-love, Tracy Latimore and Joy Barrino of Canton, OH; other siblings-in-love, Mariyah, Justin, King, Darius and Blazedon of Leslie, GA and Alisha (Derrick) Tatum; brothers-in-love, Rodney Turner and James Latimore of Canton, OH; grandchildren-in-love, Mason, Bless and Jamarion; godsons, Elijah Hall and Zayden Williams of Canton, OH; close friends, Curtis Logan and Clifton (Wanda) Smith; traveling crew, Roy (Dionne) James, and Dwayne (Shalanda) Latimore.  Jerome also leaves to cherish his memory, a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends.  He will truly be missed by us all.

REPAST FOLLOWING THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE

McKinley Health Care Center Atrium

800 Market Ave. N., Canton, OH  44702