Odester Watson

Odester Watson,87, was born on February 7, 1933, in Arkansas City, Arkansas to Collie Watson and Susie Gulley. Odester was the youngest son of six children: Richard Elzey (deceased), Ethel Brown (deceased), Lillie Love (deceased), Collie Watson Jr. (deceased), and Alma Blackman (CA). As a child he grew up in Eudora, Arkansas, where he was educated in the Eudora Arkansas School System. To many Odester is known as “ Baby Brother,” “Bob,” and “Dusty Trail.”

In 1952, he joined the United States Air Force as an Airman Third Class. He was Honorably Discharged from the Air Force on April 13, 1956. Odester, eventually moved to Las Vegas where he began “totting water” making “fifty cent” a day. While in Las Vegas, he became a part of the Union becoming the first Black to drive a diesel.

While visiting his mother in Eudora, Arkansas, he attended a Student vs. Teacher Basketball Game, at the local School, where he met School Teacher, Claudette Franklin. In 1968, he was joined in holy matrimony to Claudette Franklin.

As life continued to flourish, Odester and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1969. Odester became employed with the City of Memphis in 1972, as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He worked for the City of Memphis for 25 years, before retiring in 1997. However, even though Odester, was retired he still continued to work as a “business man” by mowing yards in the Spring, Summer, and Fall months. In the Winter time he would sell firewood. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with family and going to family reunions, deer hunting, fishing, vacationing, and watching Westerns, particularly John Wayne and “Gun Smoke“ .

Odester was an Active Member at Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church for 33 years. While in Church he served as a Class Leader, a Trustee, an Officer in the Willingness Worker’s Club, and even drove the Church Bus to make sure church members made it to Sunday School and Church Services on time.

He also had the opportunity to serve as a Troop Leader for the Boy Scouts of America, a Honorary Member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, as well as a Member of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association.

Odester Watson, departed this earth on April 3, 2020. He now proceeds in death with his wife, Claudette F. Watson and his son, Darren Watson. He leaves behind his children Shirley and Rev. Jesse Frazier (MO), Lawrence and Latreasi Watson (MS), Catherine Hildreth (NV), Artelia Watson (Deceased), Odester Watson Jr. (TN), Avery Watson (Deceased), Angelo Watson (NV), Arlene Watson (LA), Allison Watson (NV), Dewayne Watson (Deceased), Jerry Wayne Brown (CA), Yvette King (NV), Maurice Holmes (Deceased), and Rochell Watson (GA). He also leaves behind his granddaughter Schanaque Watson, and a host of other grand children, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, co workers, friends, and family members.

**Direct Link to watch Funeral Service from April 8, 2020: https://www.facebook.com/MemphisFuneralBartlett/videos/2622421991195204/