Joann Frances Webber Watts

Joann Frances Webber Watts passed away November 25, 2024 in Decatur, Georgia. Joann was born in 1947 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her father, Chuck Webber, told her that it was 20 below zero the day she came home from the hospital.  

Joann grew up in Jackson, Alabama, where she graduated from Jackson High School. She went on to graduate from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.  She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and served as Vice-President of her chapter. She earned gifted certification from Georgia State University and a Master’s in Gifted Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Joann’s calling was education.  She began her career in special education, first with adults and later with children. Over her career she taught in two different systems - Jefferson County Schools, Gwinnett County Schools, and back to Jefferson County Schools where she retired as Supervisor of Gifted Education for the entire system, one of the largest in the southeast.  She was a leader in the Future Problem Solving Program for many years, and served as President of the Homewood Library Board during a time of enormous growth, when a former church was converted to a new library three times the size of the old library.  In 1988 Joann was honored as the Alabama State Teacher of the Year.  

Joann was a lifelong United Methodist and served the church faithfully and well.  While living in Homewood, Alabama, Joann was a member of Trinity United United Methodist Church where she served as a member of the Administrative Board, the Staff Parish Relations Committee, The United Methodist Women, as well as a children’s Sunday school teacher and youth ministry coordinator.  When she relocated to Decatur, Georgia, after retirement, Joann joined Decatur First United Methodist Church where her pimento cheese became a sensation in the Vacation Bible School Volunteer Snack Room where she served each summer.  

Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia Mae Sears Webber and Charles Sherwood Webber, and her brother, Charles Raymond Webber. She is survived by her husband of fifty-four years, Robert Milton Watts, her sister Janice Chapman (Will), her son, Robert Clay Watts, her daughter, Janice Virginia Watts Yates (Andy), five grandchildren, Sullivan, Harrison, and Mitchell Watts, and Virginia Joe and Theo Yates.  Joann had one nephew, Stewart Chapman and a niece, Mary Frances Anderson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 2PM at Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, Georgia, 30030.  A graveside service will be held at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Lineville, Alabama, at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Decatur First United Methodist Church, Decatur, Georgia.