Essie Bell (Williams) Watson

Mrs. Essie Watson, age 81, of Dothan, Alabama passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 9, 2022 one hour prior to the service.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 11 AM at Patterson Street Freewill Baptist Church, 406 Patterson Avenue, Dothan, Alabama 36303.

Burial will immediately follow the service at Gates of Heaven Cemetery.

Essie Bell Williams-Watson was born on April 10, 1941 to the late Lucious Williams and Mathie Lee Harrell-Williams.

Essie Bell accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, at an early age, when she was baptized at Lynwood Baptist Church in Hawkinsville, Georgia.  She was a faithful member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.  As a result of the union to the love of her life, Johnny Watson, Essie Bell relocated to Dothan, Alabama.  She and Johnny both joined Patterson Street Free Will Baptist Church.  Essie Bell was a devoted wife and lover of the Lord.  She lived every moment for her faith and her family.  She had so much love being poured into her daily and her family meant everything to her.  She loved her husband Johnny more than anything in this world.  Johnny took great care of his wife.  He was a provider and protector, who Essie Bell bragged and doted on to all of her nieces and nephews about.  Essie was an avid gardener who loved working outdoors and enjoyed the nature of God.  She nurtured her nieces and nephews: Paulien, Byron, James, and John as her own, in Newark, New Jersey.  Essie worked in both Churches; servicing on the Finance Committee at Patterson Street Free Will Baptist Church and worked with the children at Mt. Calvary in Newark.  Her sassiness, presence, love, and smile are what will be missed most of all.

In addition to her beloved mother and father, Essie Bell was preceded in eternal rest by all her siblings: Amanda Smith, Ida Mae Brown, Aaron Williams, Viola Bembry, Bill Williams, and Dan Williams; and nephews: James and John.

Essie Bell is survived by her devoted husband: Johnny Watson; loving stepchildren: Lisa Blake, Rasheeda Watson, Johnny Watson, Jr., and Portia Smith; a very loving step granddaughter: Noni Smith; nieces: Paulien Brown, Mathie Lee Reede, Lena Mae Smith, Katherine Johnson, Odessa Hart-Kay, Lizzy Pearl Smith, Diane Gray, Alma Smith and Ann Bembry-Mitchell; and nephews: Sanders Smith, Jr., Chalmes Bembry, Byron Brown, Jimmy Lee Bembry, Author Woodson, and a special great nephew: Kennan Brown.  She had so many others who loved her unconditionally that will truly miss her, including great nieces and great nephews, whom she loved tremendously and they loved her.