Annie Mae DuBose (Banks) Watts

Annie Watts Obituary Annie Mae Banks was born on October 16, 1928 in Snow Hill, AL to Climon Banks Sr. and Annie Bell Fields both were Share Croppers. She was the oldest of 21 brothers and sisters. The family later moved to Forest Home, Alabama where she spent most of her formative years. Annie loved the Lord, her family and friends. She accepted Christ when she was five years old and joined Rock West Baptist Church, Forest Home Alabama (Barefoot). She moved to Pensacola, Florida where she met and married Zelma Lee DuBose (Deceased) a Montfort Point Marine. Zelma and Annie later moved to Cleveland, Ohio and were married on June 5, 1953. To this union was born Carl Vincent DuBose and Michael Anthony DuBose. Annie loved her sons dearly. Later in life she met and married Frank Watts Sr. Annie worked in food service for the Auditorium Hotel and at St. Vincent Charity Hospital where she met and made lifelong friends. She retired from St. Vincent Charity after 30+ years of service and opened Momma Watts Day Care out of her home, which she operated for several years and helped nurture approximately 200 children who still affectionately call her Grandma Watts, Mom Watts or Momma DuBose. Annie belonged to the Sister-to-Sisters Professional Family Day Care Association which promotes excellence in family child care and advocates for progressive policies for child care with the city, county and state. She was honored by Sister to Sisters in 2000 as one of two outstanding day care providers. Annie was also a very active member at the United Missionary Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and chaired the Pastor’s Aide Committee for numerous years. She also participated in local democratic politics where she was a precinct committee person. She was super excited and proud to see, then Senator and future president, Barack Obama and recounted back to a time that she was not allowed to vote growing up in the Jim Crow South. She was particularly pleased that her granddaughter had a chance to visit the White House. She was a member of Today’s Womens’ Social Club. Annie donated over 250 liters of blood to the American Red Cross during her lifetime. Annie was an eternal optimist and always saw the good in people. Albert Einstein said, “That there are two types of people. One that doesn’t see miracles in anything and one that see’s miracles in everything.” Annie was certainly the latter. She took great pleasure and joy from the simple things in life; such as, a phone call, visits, cooking and helping others. Annie was preceded in her transition from her earthly home to her heavenly mansion by her mother Annie Bell Banks (Big Momma), Father Climon Banks, Sr., Brothers Henry Lee Banks, Henry Climon Banks, Richard Lee Banks, Climon Banks Jr., John Climon Banks (Jake) Willie Lee Banks, Willie Ivory Banks (Joe) and Sisters Lilly Mae Boggan (Tang), Ella Mae Harris and Lucille Gross. Beloved Grand Mother Lucy Ann Fields(Sweet Mom), brothers-in-law, Rev. Leonard Gross, Hank Thompson, Clarence Walker and sisters-in-law Ella Banks, Ethel Banks, Ida Banks and Zetty Banks. Annie leaves to cherish her memories: her children Carl Vincent DuBose (Sheila), Michael Anthony DuBose (Veronica); granddaughter Lindsey Leanne DuBose; a special daughter Pamela Finch; siblings, Rebecca Walker, Cleveland, Ohio, Katie Lee Thompson, Erlene Love (Ernest), Cleveland, Ohio, Terry Lee (Mary) Banks of Forest Home Alabama, Clementine ( Pastor Ulysses) Johnson, Pastor Michael (Pam) Banks, Roy Banks all of Pensacola, Florida. Roosevelt Banks of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Johnny Albert Banks, Toledo Ohio, Brother in Law Deacon David Harris Nieces, Sister In-Law Virginia Banks Lee, Molino, FL, Sister In-Law Elizabeth Banks Cleveland Ohio, Catherine Banks Cleveland, Ohio Nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends, Note of Thanks: The family would like to express our gratitude for all of the Love, Support and acts of kindness expressed during this time. Special Thanks to Uncle Ernest. Words can’t express the gratitude for all that you have done. Special thanks to the Dobbins Family for over 50 years for being the best neighbors/family that we could ask for and always looking out for mom and us. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Annie Mae DuBose (Banks) Watts, please visit our floral store. Read More

Annie Mae DuBose (Banks) Watts

October 16, 1928 - October 11, 2021