Charlene (Jones) Watson

Charlene Watson was born November 28, 1948 to Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Jones in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. At the age of two years old, she moved with her family to Columbus, Ohio. Charlene found Christ at an early age under the direction of the Pastor James Mitchell at Zion Hill Baptist Church, now known as City of Zion. She attended East High School where she graduated in 1966. On June 22, 1967, Charlene was united in holy matrimony to Nathaniel Watson. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Nicole, LaShonda, and Starlena Watson. Charlene was one of the first women hired as a transit operator for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), from which she retired after 25 years of service. She enjoyed life to fullest; she served in the church until her health failed. She loved God, family, and friends. On September 28, 2014, Charlene Watson passed peacefully while at The Ohio State University Select Specialty Hospital. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, John Jones and Gretha Jones, Jimmie (Mug) Martin and Daniel Martin, brother Ellington Jones, and sister Darlene Jones. She leaves to cherish her memories her three daughters, Nicole Watson, LaShonda Watson, and Starlena Watson; father Wellington Jones, Sr.; mother Merdith Jones; sisters, Diane Jones, Carolyn Jones (Roland), and Dorothy Sutton; brother Wellington Jones, Jr.; ten grandsons, Marquis Watson, Michael Parker, Maceo Watson, Marjuan Watson, Marquelle (Kevin) Smith, Marquan (Devin) Dillard, Maurice (Reese) Watson, Maurice (Fofo) Howell, Mauriceo Howell, and Markus Howell; three great granddaughters, Amarie Watson, Zionna Watson and Melani McNeal; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.