Mother Esther Evans-Watson

Life’s Journey

Mother Esther Evans Watson

Mother Esther Evans Watson was born to her parents, Samuel Williams and Fannie Cato Williams in Mansfield, Louisiana on November 24, 1929. She was the first child born in the family and was raised surrounded by her brothers, Jefferson, Jerry, and her sisters, Mattie and Hattie.

Esther was educated in the Louisiana Public Schools and later, the Denver Public Schools when the family relocated to Colorado. Following high school, Esther met a young man by the name of John L. Watson. The couple were joined in holy matrimony in 1947. Six children were born to this union. Esther was the matriarch of the family and a stay-at-home mom to all of her children. She took pride in being a large part of her children’s growth and she wanted their paths to be straight and narrow.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Mother Esther Watson was a pillar of Godly strength.  She served her church and the Lord under the pastoral leadership of Bishop W. H. McDonald at Odom Memorial Church of God In Christ.  Mother Evans was a Church Mother of Odom Memorial COGIC for twenty plus years. She was a faithful member of the Jurisdiction State Mother's Board for over twenty-five years. She was a member of HANNA'S DAUGHTERS for many years. Mother Watson was a true woman of faith and pillar in the Church of God in Christ. Her entire life was structured around God’s purpose. Her strong spiritual foundation led way to a prosperous walk by faith. Along her spiritual journey, she was blessed to become great friends with, Mother Lillian Washington, Mother Essie Burrell, Mother Sara Jones, Mother Cheney, Mother Essie Austin, Mother Maxwell and Mother Joyce Washington, just to name a few. This group of spiritual women strongly supported one another through their ministry. A fond but impactful memory was that of Mother Watson asking her son, Ahmed to take her by the church during a Sunday morning service.  He did so and much to his surprise, Bishop McDonald, the elders, deacons, and others stopped the service to come out to the vehicle just to have prayer with her.  She was so thankful, touched, elated by their wonderful act of kindness.  What a mighty God We Serve.

In her free time, Mother Watson enjoyed attending church functions, gardening, shopping and cooking for her friends and family. Those that knew her best emphasize how amazing of a cook she was. She showed her love through cooking and had a way of making a meal with little and would do so with little effort. No one ever entered her home without having something to eat and she was going to ensure that you were full by the time you left. In addition, she took pride in her gardening, she prepped her flower beds and made it apart of her routine to check on her garden daily. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this wonderful woman of God. Well done thy good and faithful servant.

She is preceded in death by her son, Kenneth Watson; her parents, Sam and Fannie Williams; siblings. Jefferson Williams, Mattie Murray and Hattie Bohanan   Ervin; bonus son, Sam Combs.

Mother Esther Watson-Evans passed away peacefully into the embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 24, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Nellice (Joe) Ladson, John L. Watson, Jr., Arthur Ray (Maggie) Watson, Richard Watson, Ahmed Hakeem, Sr, Michelle (Jeremiah) Jones.; a brother, Jerry Williams; 20 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; bonus sons, William and Billy Webber; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

The Love of a Mother

A Mother's love is something

that no on can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation

A many splendor miracle

man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence

of God's tender guiding hand.