Dorothy Mae Watts was born July 18, 1937, to the union of Arthur Crockett and Julia Mae Crockett in Walls, Mississippi. She relocated to Paducah, Kentucky, where she later married Connie Watts and had two children, Edward and Lori.
Dorothy accepted Christ at an early age. After moving to Paducah, she became a member of Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board and kitchen committee alongside her friends Everlena Wilson, Mattie Woods, Annie Mae, Mattie Cousin, and Marion Stevenson. You could hear the laughter coming from the church’s kitchen and smell the best fried chicken in Paducah. Later, she aligned her membership with Greater Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church in Paducah.
Dorothy was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, playing Pokeno, bingo, and cooking. Her specialties were baking pound cakes and chess pies. But nothing brought more joy to her life than her four wonderful grandchildren, Kris, Winzelle, Keshia, Mikal, and one great-grandson, Jayceon. Her favorite saying was “Ain’t nothing like family.”
Dorothy went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Baptist Health Hospital in Paducah. She spent her last hours blessed with the presence of her daughter. She was an amazing woman who could be described as nurturing, loving, supportive, selfless, protective, strong, and feisty. She was very outspoken and would “let it rip” when necessary, forever saying what was on her mind. However, her outspokenness was always accompanied by unconditional love to her family and friends.
Dorothy would often say to us, “Don’t cry for me; don’t shed a tear. The time I’ve shared with you will always be. So, when I’m gone, please carry on, and don’t cry for me because I’ve gone home now and I’m fine, just fine!”
Preceding her in death were her husband, Connie Watts, and her parents, Arthur and Julia Crockett.
Left behind to cherish sweet memories are One Son, Edward (Maria) Crockett of Paducah, KY; One Daughter, Lori Crockett (Calvin) Smith of Antioch, TN; Four Grandchildren, Kristoffer Crockett, Calvin Smith, Jr., Mikeshia Smith, all of Nashville, TN, and Mikal Crockett of Paducah, KY; One Great Grandchild, Jayceon Smith of Nashville, TN; Three Sisters, Eddie Mae Crockett of Memphis, TN, Christine (Eddie) Henry of Paducah, KY, and Carolyn Crockett of Hamstead, NY; Two Brothers, Melvin Crockett of Memphis, TN, Ronnie Crockett of Paducah, KY; Several Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins, and Special Longtime Friends, Everlena Wilson and Dewayne Farmer.
Dorothy will always remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Services have been scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2025, 12 noon at Pettus Rowland Funeral Home with Reverend Alfred Anderson officiating.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.
Inurnment will take place at a later date in Maplelawn Park Cemetery.
You may light a candle or leave online condolences at pettusrowlandfh.com.
