IN LOVING MEMORY OF ELLA MAE WATSON

Ella Mae Watson was born on January 19, 1931 in Dyersburg, Tennessee to Donnie Mae and Willie Paul Bell. After graduating from high school she moved to Toledo, Ohio where she met her future husband, Jessie Lee Watson in 1940. After a long courtship they married and to that union were borne twelve children.

Ella gave her life to Christ at a young age and upon moving to Toledo she was a member of Inspiration Baptist Church and New Hope Baptist Church. Ella has been a dedicated, faithful member of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church where she served as President of the Nurse’s Guild and as Women’s Day Chairperson; she also served on the Mother’s Board and as a member of the choir.

Ella dedicated her life to God and the raising of her children. She was a devoted wife who loved to hear her husband and children sing and perform her favorite gospel songs.

Her life’s work was being a compassionate foster mother, opening her home to severely abused and neglected children. It was this passion and love for children that led her to adopt two children who were placed in her care. In her community and neighborhood she provided a safe haven for troubled children, teens, and adults; allowing them in her home without judgment while they worked through their problems. Her home was affectionately called the ‘Big House’ where each morning you could find her with a cup of coffee on the front porch swing. A steady stream of family, friends, and neighbors were always at the house because everyone knew that they could find a sympathetic ear, motherly advice, good conversation and a laugh when she was around.

She taught by example the importance of children as our future, that kindness and an open heart is a virtue to live by, and most importantly, that with God first and a strong family bond, nothing is impossible. Through her life’s work she inspired all that knew her to lead their best life.

Ella Mae Watson was preceded in death by her mother and father, Donnie Mae and Willie Paul Bell; her son, Jessie Lee Watson Jr.; and granddaughter, April Auntranett Gott Watson. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband, Jessie Lee Watson; her 13 children: Charles Bell Watson, Patricia Murphy, Melvin Watson, Vannessa (Darrel) Williams, Paulette (Michael) Hill, Paul Watson, Kelvin Watson, Rochelle Watson, Jerome Watson, Maria Watson, Gwendolyn Watson, Ricardo Watson, and Tanisha Watson; over 200 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, a large church family; special friends: Robert Murphy Sr., James Merriweather Sr., Ronnie Coogler, Robin Fisher, Eddie Rogers, Sis Flora Henderson, Sis Lois Draper and many loved ones.

Wake Saturday, August 15, 2009, 9:00 a.m., Funeral, Saturday, August 15, 2009, 10:00 a.m., Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 1333 Western Ave., Toledo, OH 43609, for Ella Mae Watson. Elder Gregory Bennett, Pastor/ Officiant.