On July 29, 2026 Burlon D. (B.D.) Watts, with a smile on his face, peacefully entered heaven’s gates to meet his Lord. Although he is now celebrating seeing the face of his savior, those left to mourn deeply feel the loss of Burlon’s presence.
Burlon was born on February 1, 1933 in Boaz Alabama. He proudly served two years in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he married the love of his life, Virginia (Gennia) Ruth Leeth. It was a beautiful love story that not only transformed their lives but the lives they have touched during their 70 years of blissful marriage. Perfectly devoted to each other, they rarely left one another’s side. They lived their life and built their family on faith and love. His priorities never wavered – God and family. Together he and Gennia shared 3 children, 6 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and countless, countless cherished memories.
B.D. was a man of keen intellect who loved learning and enjoyed technology. He had strong work ethics and believed that any job worth doing was worth doing well. These characteristics were evident throughout his life. He worked for thirty-three years at Gadsden State Community College where he became the first Dean of Finance. During that time, he served on numerous boards including the Baptist Memorial Hospital, CED Mental Health, HOPE Board, and many others. Retirement did not slow him down. Burlon loved working with his hands, especially carpentry work, a skill taught to him by his father. B.D. passed it on to his son and grandson. He taught himself electricity and plumbing skills, then designed and built their new home from the foundation up. When Gennia retired, they enjoyed working together to create a beautiful landscape for their home. They won the Etowah Beautification award for four years. He continued using his carpentry skills working on projects for family, friends, and in the Carpenters for Christ ministry. At the age of 90, he was still able to plumb and wire a 3700 square foot home.
Burlon enjoyed traveling with Gennia, family and friends. He was an avid sports fan, especially University of Alabama football. He often combined the two passions traveling to the majority of the SEC stadiums and 45 of the 50 states. Wanting to instill a love for traveling, he has carried his children and grandchildren on numerous trips across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Many of his favorite memories involved watching his family play on the beach, even though he was never a beach bum himself. He treasured each moment spent with those he loved.
He truly valued others above himself and showed it in his humble unselfish ways. His compassion and commitment to others were always evident. He looked for ways to serve others, to encourage others and to be a positive influence. Even through his last days, as he was battling leukemia, he never complained and never wanted to be a burden. His thoughts and concerns focused on his precious wife and the family he so dearly loved. Regardless of how he felt, he cherished every moment he could share with family and friends who came to visit; these brought him great joy and comfort.
Above all else, Burlon loved his Lord and Savior. He happily walked with the Lord for 80 years. He was a man of steadfast faith, profound integrity, solid character, and quiet strength. The legacy he left was built each day in the way he conducted his life. He unashamedly and boldly lived out his Christian faith. He taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to trust in the Lord. He made it a point to ask each one individually about their salvation, knowing that was the most important thing he could share with them. They have all had the privilege of listening to BeBe’s words of wisdom and learned volumes from his “mini” sermons. He never sat down to a meal or laid his head to rest at night that he did not offer thanks and prayers to the Lord. He was an active and faithful member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he had many cherished friends and a church family that he loved deeply. Truly wanting to be the Lord’s servant, he served for 63 years as a deacon, 18 years as a Bible study teacher, and was a member of many church committees.
Left to cherish Burlon’s memory and his legacy of love and faith are his beloved wife Virginia Ruth Leeth Watts. His three children: Pamela (Ricky) Clough, Phillip (Wanda) Watts, Melissa (Michael) Jenkins. His six grandchildren: Joshua (Jakea) Player, Jenna Ruth Clough-Hill (Jeremy); Jordon (Anna Leigh) Watts, Ryleigh Watts Hicks (Michael); Jameson (Claire) Jenkins, Landon (Anna Ryals) Jenkins. His seven great-grandchildren: Grayson Clough; Jayton, Jemie Ruth, and Jay Player; Gentry Watts; Will Jenkins; and Eden Hicks. His chosen son Kenneth (Mona) Leeth and chosen daughter Tammy (Donnie) Smith. Also survived by: his sisters-in-law Christine Leeth White and Sue Davis Watts and a host of special nieces and nephews.
Mere words cannot express the immense loss felt by those whose lives were enriched by the kindness, patience and unconditional love shown to them by Burlon. His influence and legacy will touch generations to come. Nor can mere words express the joy and peace they share knowing that he has finished the race and heard his master say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2026 at Bethlehem Baptist Church. He will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. Friday at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. His family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Albertville Memorial Chapel.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2nd Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
Arrangements entrusted to Albertville Memorial Chapel.
