Dollie M. Watson

Mrs. Dollie Mae Watson, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cherished family member and friend, entered eternal rest on Monday, July 31, 2017, at Center for Hospice Care, South Bend, Indiana.

Dollie was born on July 6, 1934, to the late A. J. Davis and Mary Anna Ashford in Tyronza, Arkansas.  She later moved to Detroit, Michigan, and was united in marriage to the late Mr. Billy Brown, Sr.  To this union, four children were born: Billy Brown, Jr., Elder Leonard Brown, Linda White and Sylvia Redding.  

On January 5, 1980, Dollie married Mr. Clyde E. Watson, Sr., of Tyronza, Arkansas.  This union brought five more children into Dollie’s life:  Clyde Watson, Jr., Donald Watson, Ann Swift, Ida Freeman, and Janet Green.  

To know Miss Dollie, as she was affectionately called, was to love her!  Her quiet, sweet spirit radiated her love for God and the people of God.  She began her relationship with Christ in Tyronza, Arkansas, as a member of Rock of Ages Baptist Church.  After moving to South Bend, Indiana, her relationship with God grew tremendously.  She was a faithful member of Pentecostal Cathedral, where she served on the Usher Board until her health no longer permitted.  She was diligent in prayer and in reading the word of God, wanting to learn more about her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Dollie enjoyed riding the church van to services.  This helped her to maintain her independence and build relationships with other passengers.  Even though she was in her senior years, Dollie would assist others as they got off the van.   She always had a smile and would willingly help others in any way she could.  Because of her caring heart and beautiful personality, wherever she went, even during her illness, Miss Dollie was always referred to as a “Sweet Lady!”

Miss Dollie was a hard worker.  Her work history included Hedwin Corporation, South Bend, Indiana, and Wells Cargo, Elkhart, Indiana, from which she retired.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Elder Leonard (Kathy) Brown, South Bend, Indiana, Clyde (Lillian) Watson, Jr., West Point, Mississippi, Donald (Patricia) Watson, Marked Tree, Arkansas, Jackson Moore, Detroit, Michigan, and Randy Patton, Missouri; daughters, Linda (Elder John) White, Sylvia (DeCarlo) Redding, South Bend, Indiana, 

Ann Swift, Marked Tree, Arkansas, and Janet Green, Jonesboro, Arkansas.  Also surviving are six grandchildren, Dwight (Renada) Williams, Mark (Kim) Clark, Janiecesha O’Neal, Jermaine Bridges, Anthony White, Jr., and Ryan Wilson, Sr., along with 17 great-grandchildren.  In addition, Dollie is survived by her sisters, Marilyn Bradford, California, Ida (Harry) Stephenson, St. Louis, Missouri, and Carol Douglas, Memphis, Tennessee; brothers, Charles Lee Green and Ronnie Green, both of South Bend, Indiana; aunt, Georgia Lee Byrd, Michigan City, Indiana; in-laws, Bobby (Joan) Watson, Kansas City, Missouri, along with a host of extended family and friends.  Dollie spent much time sharing good conversation and fun with special friends Mother Dorothy Hill, Mildred Denny, Rosalee Stoner, Penny Nemeth, Faye Gadson, Shirley Pope, Essie Jackson and Theresa Carter.  

Dollie was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Anna Ashford, A. J. Davis and Willie V. Davis; husband, Clyde E. Watson, Sr.; son, Billy Brown, Jr.; daughter, Ida Freeman; sister, Deborah Davis; in-laws, Garfield and Kathryn Murrell and Betty Green, and an aunt, Pauline Kilgore.

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park.

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