Jerry A. Watts was born April 29, 1965 in Wilmington, North Carolina to Andrew Watts Sr. and Ernestine Allison Watts. Jerry Watts grew up a Harlem youngster that lived in Kings Towers at

40 West 115th Street

and went Watley JHS in his youth. He went on to graduate from Samuel Gompers Vocational High School in The Bronx as The 1983 Valedictorian "Rank Number 1".

Jerry Watts matriculated at Pratt Institute for Electrical Engineering and graduated from Empire State College of New York while completing the qualifications to become a Local 3 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Journeyman Electrician.

Jerry Antonio Watts married Gwendolyn J. Bell Watts on July 21, 1989. They raised 3 children together, Andre' A. Watts, Trevor T. Watts and Diamond J. Watts. Jerry was blessed to also have two children prior to his marital union sons Latron Johnson and Jerry Grace Watts.

Jerry was affectionately called "The Ice Man" by his father Andrew "Peter Gunn" Watts. Jerry was a sharp dresser, was very gregarious and had an incredible sense of humor. He was also very energetic and extremely persuasive. Jerry loved to talk and was very friendly. Jerry had a strong personality and was very opinionated.

Jerry began his work career at Häagen-Dazs under the owner and creator of the famous ice cream brand at 13 years old when started out loading ice cream on the truck before he received his working papers at 14 years old. Jerry was very financially responsible. Jerry mother and father taught him the value of money and Jerry became a saver and investor at an early age. He loved the finer things in life. Jerry was a Harlem youth that started driving at 14 years old when his mother Ernestine would let him drive his father Pete Cadillac often when his father fell asleep.

Jerry was super fly at all times wearing luxurious materials such as silk suits, leather or alligator shoes and leather bombers and tailored suits beginning in his teenage years.

Jerry was business minded and all his bankers knew him personally and financial advisors knew him personally greeting him when stepped in the bank.

Jerry was always looking for a way to make an honest buck like by selling baseball hats for popular sports teams while attending college to make ends meet. He always had an independent entrepreneurial spirit.

Jerry was an amazing father, provider and protector raising his children and nurturing them to greatness with strong discipline. He believed that to spare the rod would spoil the child and made sure his children did not think money grew on trees.

Jerry was always willing to help his family that may be down financially but definitely not without a lecture. Jerry let everyone know his money did not come easy and that he worked hard for it.

Jerry rose up before

4 AM

to prepare to be st work before

6 AM

for many years. Jerry helped his family many ways and numerous times financially. Jerry let anyone that needed help to be responsible so they would not find themselves in the same situation needing help again.

Jerry was an "old head" who was a great lover of music always loving to listen to songs by The Chilites, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Ojays, The Delphonics, introduced to him in his youth. He took his wife to many concerts with dinner after the show over their life and journey together from 19 years old. Jerry favorite song that he loved to sing was called "Wildflower" by Skylark which he sang and performed in talent competitions during his youth and early adulthood.

Jerry loved the finer things in life and always put his money where his mouth was. He took his wife, children and extended family on many fabulous vacations. His sister Debra and her children was always welcome to share with his immediate on family trips to go to various places and enjoy Jerry's family life excursions and experiences as Hilton Club Owners for over 20 years.

Jerry was a devoted husband to his wife Gwendolyn whom he affectionately called "Diamond". They had nicknamed each other "Brown Ranger" for Jerry and "Pink Ranger" for Gwendolyn.

Jerry and Gwendolyn had a 41 year love affair and often said "We are doing life" together when people asked how long they were with each other. The Watts started dating from time of them officially meeting in December 1984 even though Jerry proved to Gwendolyn that he actually saw and admired her at his Gompers High School Talent show and seeing her earlier in his Southern Boulevard neighborhood by describing her outfit worn on that day. Jerry had an incredible memory. He was into history and never forgot a face or where he met you. He never met a stranger. Jerry could talk to anyone as if they were the only one that existed. Looking you straight in the eyes.

Jerry absolutely loved life. Jerry loved to dance. Jerry loved to sing. Jerry loved to go to the movies. Jerry loved his wife, children and his family.

Jerry was every one of his siblings "Big Brother" as he was well known and respected in the Harlem community. As his Momma "First Born" He shouldered the responsibility and lived up to his potential and position of being #1.

Everyone loved Jerry. He would take everyone he could to the movies and he would even go on his own if no one wanted to go. Jerry loved to eat! He was always hungry. Restaurant eating was common where Jerry would foot the whole bill for everyone.

Jerry was not a go along to get along person. He had strong determination.

Jerry knew how to get what he wanted in life. He also always believed in speaking his mind.

Jerry was a great example of a hard working fun loving individual who made it out of the hood to do good. He loved being an Electrician and the respect it brought him.

Jerry used to fix street lights around the city where youth would see him with his keys open up light poles across New York City at their base and then get in his bucket and go up high in his boom truck to put a new light in the fixture to keep the city streets and highways safe and well lit. He gave black and brown kids someone to look up to in his 25 years of being an Electrician.

Jerry was very wise about how his decisions and how they might affect others. He was a natural born leader.

Jerry joined The Abyssinian Baptist Church along with his wife and raised his children in the wisdom of GOD in JESUS name under the leadership of his Pastor Dr. Butts. Jerry was blessed to sing and travel for many years in The Chancel Choir under the direction of Brother Jeff Bolding. Jerry was a faithful member of The Brotherhood Ministry as well yearly assisting Deacon Paul Brady for Thanksgiving outreach ministry.

Jerry officially retired from The Electrical industry in 2011. After his retirement, Jerry continued to pursue ministry with his wife for over 20 plus years as her Jesus Kingdom ministry developed her in wisdom and stature while GOD continues opening doors at Memorial, Mount Olivet, Welcome Home, and Metropolitan churches, culminating in him joining The Metropolitan Baptist Church under the leadership of his wife and Pastor Gwendolyn Watts.

He was there every step of the way. Jerry was so proud that he would share the church bulletin with his wife's friend and spiritual brother Pastor Roderick McArthur whenever they visited Mount Gilead to show what was happening at Metropolitan. Jerry was friendly with Deacon Hayes and the members loved Jerry and looked out for him when he came to church each week. He was happy to be First Gentleman of Metropolitan Baptist Church. Rev. McDaniel always prayed, encouraged and lifted Jerry up over the past 4 years. Jerry was a strong soldier who fought and endured until the end of this earthly life on March 11, 2026 when he peacefully passed away. Jerry leaves to mourn his devoted wife Pastor Gwendolyn Watts and his children Andre' Watts, Trevor Watts, Diamond Watts and Latron Johnson. Jerry Grace Watts (Deceased) preceded him in death. Jerry's grandchildren are Elijah D. Grace, Blake Amiri Watts, and Anisa Andrea Watts. The Siblings are Kenneth Watts (Robin) Debra Watts, Andrew Watts Jr, Crystal Boria, Anthony Boria, Jeffrey Cole, John Warren and David Horace Childs AKA Wallace James Watts, Brother-In-Law Eric Bell, Sister-In- Law Pamela Bell Washington (Michael) Jerry also leaves to mourn Aunts Alma Ruff and Mae Wilson, Uncles Landon Bell and Larry Watts and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.