Viola Watts Milbourne

VIOLA WATTS MILBOURNE was born to Joseph and Edith Garner on March 2, 1924 in Lusby, Maryland. She attended Calvert County Public Schools before marrying William M. Watts at the age of 17. From their union came four children, William, Wayne, Gail, and Tyrone. In the early 50s, she moved from Lusby to Baltimore City with hopes of starting a new life and eventually settling in the community of Cherry Hill. During this time, she gave birth to two more daughters, Sharon and Yvette. After working various jobs as waitress and clerk at the local carry-out, she landed a position with Baltimore City Schools as a para-professional from which she would retire in 1982. While retired, she found love again and married Harvey Milbourne in 1994. As a lover of all sports, Viola joined several bowling leagues where she acquired accolades and trophies. Her favorite pastimes were watching gospel quartets featuring Lee Williams and every possible sporting event on television, especially her favorite basketball team, the Golden State Warriors. She kept her mind sharp by playing word games and puzzles regularly and loved to look fabulous on a daily basis. Being such a fashionista earned her the nicknames “Queen Vi” and “Vanity Smurf” because she loved to look at herself in the mirror. She had a witty and unfiltered sense of humor like no other. One of her favorite sayings was “Use your head for more than a hat rack” and “One hand washes the other”. She was the matriarch of the family who always stayed true to herself and lived life on her terms like a real queen. She will forever be missed. Viola Watts Milbourne departed this life on January 14, 2023 after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harvey Milbourne; siblings Willie, Edward, Pinkney, Ella Mae, and Owen; 3 children, Gail M. Watts, Wayne D. Watts, Sr., and William “Billy” Watts; and 3 grandchildren, Wayne D. Watts, Jr., Brian P. Watts, Sr., and Raquel Y. Watts. She is survived by her 3 children, Tyrone Watts (Patricia Watts), Sharon Diggs (Mark S. Diggs, Sr.), and Yvette Fowlkes (Spencer Fowlkes); 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and beloved friends.

Tributes

Viola Watts Milbourne

March 16, 1924 - January 14, 2023