Elvie C. Watts

Dr. Elvie C. Watts, Early Childhood Educator passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2014. She was 97 years old. Dr. Watts was the Director of Early Childhood Education and Daycare Centers for Sacramento City Unified School District. Dr. Watts and Mrs. Ann Braxton established the Oak Park Preschool in Sacramento, Calif. She taught Early Childhood Education classes at the Los Rios College campuses, especially, Sacramento City College. She also taught at Sacramento State University. Dr. Elvie Mary Crenchaw Watts was born February 16, 1917 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her parents were Rev. Joseph Crenchaw and Mrs. Ethel Crenchaw. She attended Dunbar High School in Little Rock, Ark. Dr. Watts attended Hampton Institute, Virginia, BA; Atlanta University School of Social Work, Georgia, MA; and Nova University, Florida, PHD. Dr. Watts believed that all children should begin with a preschool education. She believed in supporting parents of preschool aged children by sharing knowledge of the different stages of early childhood. Dr. Watts developed many great preschool teachers by offering in-service training and she believed in parent participation at school. Dr. Watts was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Links Inc., and she served on many boards in the Sacramento area. She was one of the oldest members of Parkside Community Church, United Church of Christ, since she moved with her family to Sacramento in 1965. Dr. Watts was married to the late Dr. Lewis G. Watts. She is survived by her children, Lewis Watts, Michael Watts, Ethel Watts, grandsons, Guy M. Busch and Noah Chandler, daughter-in-law, Christine Watts, brother, Milton Crenchaw, and a great grandson Adrian Chandler. Dr. Watts was a woman of faith. She will be missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2014, at Parkside Community Church, 5700 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento, Calif., at 11 a.m.