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Mother Mary Lee Watson
Born: 8/11/1928
Died: 11/12/2015
Age: 87
Community: Flint, MI
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Mother Mary Lee Watson age 87 transitioned from life Thursday, November 12, 2015. Mother Watson was the fifth child born August 11, 1928 to Professor Henry Griffin and Mrs. Addie J. Griffin in Flat Creek, Alabama. Mary excelled in school but decided farm life was not for her. After graduating from Praco High School with a scholarship to Alabama Teachers College in Montgomery she chose to relocate to Flint, Michigan and attend then Flint Junior College. She met and married the late Elder Malvern Watson while worshipping at Elm Park Church of God in Christ (New Harris Memorial). The couple served as Youth Pastor and Junior Church Mother. They were married 39 years with seven children. The couple had also founded South Park Church of God in Christ but later joined Greater Holy Temple when Eld. Watson’s health prevented him to continue as pastor.
Mary was director at the St. John Street Community Center, a Public Library story teller, substitute teacher K-6, Cadet Girl Scout leader, Genesee County Deputy Sheriff, chaplain, received her license as an Evangelist Missionary in 1958 from the Church of God in Christ Memphis Tennessee and she attended Charles Harrison Mason Bible College. The International Women’s Department of the Church of God in Christ Inc. honored Mother Watson in a special edition journal “Time to Remember”.
She is affectionately called “Mother Watson, Mom, Mother” by people of all ages. She served at Greater Holy Temple as Sunday School and Prayer & Bible Band teacher, Trustee Board member, Pastors Anniversary and Women’s Day chairperson, president of the Missionary Circle and founder of the Missionetts, president of the Pastor’s Aide, coordinator of the “100 Women in White” service in 1978, making two trips to Haiti with the Mission Department for the national church. Due to her own health challenges Mother Watson though homebound continued to minister to the needs of people of the community. She always had a “Daily Bread” for guest who stopped at her home and was a prayer warrior and confidant encouraging many souls to seek Christ and change their focus for life. Although retired for many years she gets letters and visits from persons who were incarcerated testifying of how their lives have changed. Mother Watson is always well dressed in her fancy hats, high heels (before stilettos), fox furs, handkerchief and gloves.
Mother Watson loved her family and her church. She is an excellent cook and “would put her foot in a pot of greens”. Enjoying traveling, cooking, singing, Bible Study she never let her “physical challenge” dampen her faith in her God or ministry. Her voice could silence a room full of people by simply speaking the word “PEACE!”
She leaves to celebrate her life 3 sons Bretford James Griffin Sr., Rondel Eugene Watson, and Boaz McWade (Tracy) Watson and her 2 daughters Deborah Lynne (Alfred) Hamilton and Keren-Happuch June Watson. “MeMa” has 13 grandchildren- Terry (Cassandra) Spriegner, Belinda Lyons, Marcel (Angie)Griffin, JuQuan(Terra) Williams, Darris (Esined Carmona) Hamilton, Mary Lena Watson, Calvin Williams, Jr., Bretford Griffin, Jr., Armand Hamilton, Haven Watson, Parrish Watson, Jeanna Wesley, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, 2 sisters in law Madeline Watson and Alene Johnson, cousins Dorothy Watson and Juanita Watson, devoted niece Ardella Henderson, special nephews Baron Watson, Lawrence Watson and Rev. Daniel Johnson, Sr., many other nieces and nephews, “sons and daughters that she did not birth.”
She was preceded in death by husband Elder Malvern H. Watson and 2 sons Frederick DuRey and Malvern Michael Samuel Watson, her parents, four brothers and a sister.
Special thanks to Swanson Funeral Home, Visiting Physicians Association, Mercy Health Plus, Pinacle nurse Jean, her neighbors, adopted daughters Mrs. Otissteen Pitts, Sharon Sadler, neighbors Lennie Straham and Lionel Turner, Mother Margaret Williams and Greater Holy Temple Mothers Board, Bishop R. L. Jones, Sr. and Greater Holy Temple church family.
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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11/20/2015 |
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1:00 PM |
| Visitation shall begin at 1:00 PM , a memorial service shall begin at 6:00PM. |
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| Funeral Service |
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11/21/2015 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Greater Holy Temple Church of God and Christ
6702 N. Dort Hwy.
Flint, MI 48505Get a Map to this location...
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