Earning his medical degree in 1943 from Howard University College, he was the first African-American board-certified surgeon to serve in North Carolina.

After surgical training at Freedman's Hospital in Washington, D.C., in 1949, he moved to Durham, North Carolina, in 1950 and established a clinic to provide access to medical services for the poor.

Charles DeWitt Watts was born on September 21, 1917, to parents who were church members in Atlanta, Georgia.

[3] At that time, he and his brother worked a paper route, delivering copies of the Atlanta Constitution every morning to support their education.

After working at the Washington, D.C., post office to support his education, Watts attended Howard University College of Medicine.

[3] Watts received his medical degree in 1943 from Howard University College of Medicine and become the first African American in North Carolina to become a board-certified surgeon.

"[6] Watts noted in an interview with The Washington Post in 1986 that "He [Charles Drew] wanted black doctors to go out and establish themselves around the country".

[5] He opened a private clinic in general surgery for poor people and African Americans, as blacks had very limited access to medical services.

[1][6][10] One of his former students, Charles Johnson, noted that Watts "clearly was a visionary" and added: "He was a very bright, energetic, capable physician and always (was interested in) helping the black community to whatever extent he could".

She answered a family calling is now the President of Southview Cemetery in Atlanta; this was started by Dr. Watts Father [Albert Sr] in 1886.

After a career of more than 50 years,[10] Watts died at home aged 86 on July 12, 2004, due to complications from diabetes and heart disease.