James Stanley Watts Jr.

LIFE REFLECTIONS

 James Stanley Watts Jr (Manzie), born June 6, 1970, in San Diego, CA to James Stanley Watts Sr and Carolyn Marie Milleson-Watts. Manzie passed away on November 5, 2025, at 1:25 a.m. at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego CA. He was watched daily by his niece Karissa until the day he transitioned. Manzie was baptized at New Sunnymount Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO in 2002.

As a child and adult Manzie loved helping others, fishing, riding bikes, and all sports, even soccer. He was happiest when he played gym basketball, baseball for Sunshine Little League and Adult League baseball. He was a pitcher for the Pirates where he adopted the name “YES SIR” Whether on the field or court no one could deny his left-handed skills.

Manzie attended Mead and Chollas Elementary, Horace Mann and Gompers Jr. High, Lincoln High, and graduated from Garfield High school in 1988. Manzie worked at Schlotzsky’s, San Diego Airport and retired from Folex where he worked 15 years before they relocated to Oregon.

Manzie had his first son Jamal in 1997. He married Felica Llyod October 5, 2002, and they were joined with three children James III, Joshuwa, and Samaria and two adopted children Jacob and Amanda Lathrop.

Manzie is preceded in death by both parents James and Carolyn Watts, grandparents Ormand and Alta Milleson, Herman and Jessie Bray, Uncle Paul Watts and Stepson Jacob Lathrop. He is survived by his children Jamal, James III, Joshuwa, Samaria Watts, and Step-daughter Amanda Lathrop, three sisters Nanette Smith (Pete), Evangelist Suzette Watts-Milleson, Jessica Watts, one brother Detrick Watts (Natasha) and one foster brother Ronald Bray Jr, six nieces Marissa (Nathaniel), Karissa, Kaylyn, Kashae (Jaime), Skye (Michael), Britany, five nephews Dominic, Chris (Maisey), Aaron (Peyton), Jaedin, Brycen (Jalee), two aunts Janet and Idell Watts, three uncles Herman (janet) Ronald (Charlotte), John Bray and nine great-nieces, twelve great-nephews one great-great niece, a host of cousins, friends and a special friend Melinda Oporto to mourn his homegoing.

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