Hadiyah Muwwakkil AKA: Ella Lou Watts

Hadiyah Muwwakkil aka Ella Lou Watts was born September 22, 1909 in Fairfield County. The oldest of fourteen, she was the daughter of the late Robert & Frances Willingham. At the age of 19, the former Ella Lou Willingham married her, “Knight in Shining Armor” Otis Watts, her devoted late husband of 42 years. They were blessed with fourteen children. She became Muslim and embraced Islam in 1962, & later changed her name legally to Hadiyah Muwwakkil in 1977. At the age of 89, she was honored with a visit to the Holy City of Mecca for Hajj.  She returned to Allah at home on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the age of 107. Our beloved mother, Ss. Hadiyah was a homemaker on their farm & self taught with many skills. With a humble life of simplicity she was an honored member & Matriarch of Masjid As-Salaam. A mother, sister & friend to all who knew her, she touched the lives of so many, generation after generation.  A humble servant, committed to serving God & helping others. Her humility, dedication & patience preceded tireless lifetime efforts of humanitarian acts of service. Her kindness & generosity extended across faiths & she was well loved by her family, friends & community at large. Hadiyah leaves to cherish her, 3 sons; Nello (Mary) Watts of Detroit, MI, Moses (Ruby) Watts of Pinebluff, AR; Quadir (Hanunah)  Muwwakkil of Winnsboro, SC, her 4 daughters; Ruby(Howard) Karriem & Mini’imah Shabazz, of Winnsboro, SC, Maryam Shareef & Shirdene Sabree, of Columbia, SC & step-daughters Bertha  (James) Warren & Clara Perkins, both of Harrisburg, PA; her brothers, Aaron Willingham of Detroit, MI, & Wardell Willingham of Winnsboro, SC & sisters Izetta Gripper of Southfield, MI, & Lodesta Parnell of Winnsboro, SC. Hadiyah was the matriarch of five generations and leaves behind a host of grands, great grands & great great grands.  She was preceded in death by her husband Otis Watts, her sons Otis Jr., Willie Robert, Elijah Watts, her daughter Willie Mae, and 7 brothers and 2 sisters. Funeral services will be 1:00pm Friday, March 31, 2017@ Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the As-Salaam Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home, 324 S. Vanderhorst St. Winnsboro SC 29180. Condolences can be made to russellmccutchen.net.

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