James Watkins Potts

Then shall the dust return to the Earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecc12:7
JAMES WATKINS POTTS, age 86, lovingly known by his family and friends as Ahh-Moo and Boss Hog, went to be with the Supreme Architect of the Universe on Saturday, January 27, 2018. Born April 9, 1931 at the Potts Ancestral Homeplace in Church Road VA, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he never met a stranger, a forever friend to everyone he encountered. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley James and Fannie Watkins Potts, brother Benjamin Calvin Potts and great-grandson, Crawford Wayne Cunningham. He was a lifelong citizen of Church Road, VA and a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Church Road, VA. He started his education at Midway High School in 1937, the first year school was held in a brick building, and graduated in 1948 when students graduated in 11 years. Some of his duties at Church were Sunday School Superintendent and Secretary, Chairman of the Board, Senior Lay Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, Men’s Choir, PPR, coached softball and most lovingly remembered as greeter for the Church. James was a 55-year member of the Dinwiddie Masonic Lodge No. 136 AF & AM where he served as Worshipful Master, was a coach for new members and served as Chaplain, affording him the honor for over 30 years in giving the Masonic Rites to more than 39 fellow Masonic Brothers. He was a Charter Member of the Ford Volunteer Fire Department where he served as President, Chief, truck driver, and fire fighter for 40 years. He was an honorary member of the Sutherland Ruritan Club, a landowner member of the Community Hunt Club and a member of the Sutherland Hunt Club. Throughout his journey over the years he had the privilege of driving the Dinwiddie County High School bus for around eight years, was a substitute rural mail carrier, worked at VEPCO (now Dominion Energy,) worked at Adkins Electrical where he learned his electrical trade affording him the right to become a self-employed electrician. He was a dirt farmer for 60 years and a tree farmer for 35 years. His greatest love was wood working, where his specialty was creating through his mastery cedar chests and grandfather clocks.
Survivors include his spouse of 63 years, Mary Ann Crawford Potts; a daughter, Lula Jane Potts Mann; a granddaughter, Jannabeth Marie Mann Cunningham (Matthew); a great-granddaughter, Copelynn Crawford Cunningham; a sister-in-law, Barbara H. Potts; a nephew, Calvin Potts (Celeste); a niece, Carol Olivia Potts Davis (Timothy); chosen sons, Gordon S. (Rudy) Jones, Herbert Harris, and Phillip (Puddin) Smith. His most cherished friend Boo T Boo (Lucy). Along with numerous family members and many many friends. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Dinwiddie Health and Rehab Center for their care and support. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4814 Courthouse Road Church Road, VA 23833 followed by internment in the church cemetery. The Reverend Doctor James G. O’Quinn and The Reverend Katherine Jackson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please give to Trinity United Methodist Church, 4814 Courthouse Road Church Road, Va. 23833. Services are under the direction of the Dinwiddie Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .