Eloise F. Watters

In Remembrance… Eloise Fitzgerald Watters, was born in Gadsden, AL. on September 2, 1921 to her parents Belle and Will Sr. The second eldest of 3 children (including siblings Martha Will Jr.), Eloise was quite the self proclaimed “tom girl” and quite the rambunctious one of the bunch! Growing up within a farming community, she loved to run through the fields, pick berries, frolicking with the animals (yes, including playing in pig sloughs) and playing as a young girl (when she wasn’t working) earning an early living to help support her family, which eventually necessitated her leaving grade school (before completing the second grade) which was a commonality during these lean years for many “back in the day.” In her early adolescent years, Eloise met a young man – John Wesley Watters – who would later become her husband of 30+ years. To this union, Eloise and John were blessed with 2 special daughters – Martha Cay and Stephanie Nicole. Shortly after their union, Eloise would join her husband in neighboring Cave Springs, GA., before eventually migrating from the South to the North by eventually settling down in Columbus, Ohio. Working within a domestic capacity for private homes for several years, Eloise worked hard and was enormously blessed to find good work with a number of wonderful families who each continued to place indelible marks on her life throughout her many years of dedicated service to the families she worked for. In fact, long before she eventually became a grandmother in her own right, she played a major “grandmotherly” role to many of the children she helped raise and care for over the years. In fact, she never met a family who didn’t love her immensely and consider her an extended and integral part of their own families based namely on her unique ability to acquiesce into the hearts of nearly everyone she encountered, whether personally or professionally. In fact, there were a couple of very special families throughout the years, (The James and Simson Families) who each played a major part in grandma’s life – not only as employers, but most importantly as special friends and mentors, both of whom still remained lovingly in touch with her many years after her retirement! “Faith, Family and Friendship” were all important factors in Eloise’s life, with faith being among the most important! Eloise accepted Christ at a young age, but rededicated her life to serving him when joining the congregation of the Macedonia Baptist Church of Columbus, Ohio where she was an active and faithful member for many years, serving on various auxillary committees and coordinating annually sponsored church “teas” which she thoroughly enjoyed! Later in life, she joined the Praise Temple Community Church under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Sammie E. Dixson, where she faithfully attended and served on various committees, eventually being named to the Mothers Board until illness and mobility issues affected her ability to attend as often as she would have otherwise desired. “Mother Watters” as she became affectionately known as to her church family and congregation is an honor she proudly accepted and served within this capacity until the time of her passing. Last, but certainly not least, Family was a tremendous blessing in Eloise’s life and one in which she took great joy! Becoming affectionately known as the “family photographer” at large family and extended family gatherings, she could always be found taking precious photo shots (with the largest and brightest “mega watt bulb” known to man at the time) just to ensure that everyone would have precious memories to last a lifetime! As evidenced by her extensive photo libraries, she definitely had the right idea because so many of these precious, once in a lifetime photos would not have otherwise been captured had it not been for her ensuring that she traveled everywhere with her “trusty dusty” camera whenever she could! She also enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening – anything that either warmed the stomach or helped beautify her space. Specialties included lasagna, and homemade applesauce – but, nearly every dish she touched would end up being scrumptious and traditional mainstays for various holiday get-togethers. Nowhere was her true love of family more apparent than when it came to her love, caring and affectionate nature when raising her grandchildren over the years. Specifically, Eloise officially became a first time grandmother when her youngest daughter Stephanie gave birth to her eldest granddaughter – Erica Shondell. This unexpected, yet welcomed blessing created a unique and phenomenal bond between both grandmother and granddaughter that was indisputable and remained a strong and ever present force in both of their lives all the way until God called Eloise home from “labor to reward” on Friday, January 22, 2016 after a short illness. Whether you referred to her as Mommy/grandma/great-granny/wa-wa/friend/Mother Watters or just simply as Eloise, we should all feel blessed just to have known her, because to know her IS to love her and today, as she’s made her heavenly transition to her eternal home – we should truly rest assured that she LOVED us all in return! Her smile and infectious laughter will be sadly missed by many, but we will rest assured that she is now resting peacefully in our Lord and Savior’s loving and protective arms and is already having a JOYOUS time IN and WITH him forevermore! Left to forever cherish her memory is her loving and dedicated granddaughter, Erica (Bill) Brown and daughter, Marty (Classie) Suber. Also survived by grandchildren, Vanshone Sawyer, Tianne (Marshall) Travis, Alphonso Clement, Lynne and Lena Suber, special “buddy,” great-granddaughter, Myanna Brown. Great-grandchildren Quintana (Anthony) Coachman, Da’Von Saulsberry, Alexis Travis, Vanae Shavon Sawyer, Zija Vaylean, Zija Vannah Holmes, Dillon, Devan Burkhart, Nyshea, Nyrell, Nyzabie Jenavis Suber, Jeshea Brown-Padgett, Jevian Pierce, Jehon Myers, Sylvae Watkins and a host of great-great grandchildren, church family and extended family and friends, including close friends, Joyce Simson, Pamela Reedus and Pastor Sammie (Betty Jo) Dixson.