Geneva Bessie Watts, 92, of Tontitown, AR, died Friday, April 17, 2026, at Hampton Place Healthcare in Rogers, AR. She was born in the Culpepper community, near Clinton, AR to Cecil E. and Bessie E. Story Dewey. She met her husband to be, James Kalep Watts, in April of 1949. He had served in WWII and was working with his brothers in the Marshall area at the time of their meeting. They were married by Rev. J.R. Adams at the bride’s parents’ home in Scotland, AR on June 11, 1950. The couple lived with her parents during her senior year of high school. She graduated from Scotland High School in 1951. After living in Marshall, AR for a short period, the couple moved to Little Rock, AR to look for better work opportunities. James was eventually employed at Fort Roots Veterans Hospital in North Little Rock, and they bought their only home in the Levy area. They attended Glad Tidings Assembly of God where Geneva faithfully served in women’s and girl’s ministries and sang in the choir. Later, they attended NLR First Assembly where she sang in the choir and they loved traveling with the Keenagers. Geneva kept numerous children in their home and owned a licensed daycare service for many years. She began working in the daycare facility at Baptist Hospital around 1977 and retired from there in 1996. Geneva and James raised two sons, Cecil and Darrell, in Christian love, demonstrating a strong work ethic, appreciation for learning and music, and faithful service to God and church.

After retirement, Geneva and James decided to move to Tontitown, AR to live with Darrell’s family so that “Grandma” could continue serving in her life-long ministry as caregiver for her own grandchildren. Geneva loved her husband, sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren more than anything. She demonstrated that love with amazing hugs, greeting cards, and our favorite meal and dessert at every occasion. She was a faithful member of Springdale First Assembly of God. Geneva chose to move to Hampton Place Healthcare in Rogers on July 4, 2024, where she received excellent care and made many new friends with other residents and staff. Geneva is preceded in death by her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, GC and Shirley Dewey, and her husband, James.

She is survived by her two sons, Cecil (Vicky) Watts, Darrell (Sharon) Watts, four grandchildren, Brian (Nikki) Watts, Nicole Watts Alexander, Emily Watts, and Ellen Watts, and four great-grandsons, Aiden Watts, Gavin Watts, William Alexander, and Lewis Alexander.

A gathering celebrating Geneva’s life will begin with a visitation at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Springdale First Assembly of God followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Fayetteville National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. that same day. Memorial contributions may be made to Light for the Lost Bible Project, 1445 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802, or Gideons International, P.O. Box 8181, Springdale, AR 72766.