Catherine Arlene Watson

On the morning of Monday, August 29, 2022, Catherine Arlene Watson passed away peacefully at the age of 92, at the In-Community Senior Care Residential Facility. She was the fifth of nine children born to the late Leo and Corrine Collins at Gallinger Hospital in Washington, DC and into a family that made love and support a top priority.

Catherine attended Anthony Bowen Elementary School, in SW Washington and graduated from a Catholic boarding school in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her first marriage to Donald Ware produced two sons, Russell and Francis Ware. Years later she met and married the love of her life, Leon Appelt Watson. This union was blessed with one son, Leon Jr.

After working many years at DC General Hospital as an Inventory Specialist, Catherine retired. Now, she was free to enjoy plenty of life’s offerings…and she did with Big Leon at her side.

Catherine loved life! Family, traveling, and fellowshipping were her passions. With family she traveled across America, including Hawaii, and several Caribbean Islands. Membership in the “Soul Journey Travel Group” and the “Girlfriend’s Club in South Carolina” were extra perks.

Family times were the best: playing POKENO with sisters and nieces, holidays and celebrations surround by the entire Collins Crew, traveling to fellowship with her South Carolina Family or enjoying Family Night at Little Leon’s home with her extended family. Just being in the presence of family, here and South Carolina brought her unspeakable joy.

Catherine, fondly known as “Caddy”, helped, and supported family anyway she could. Her door was always open for visits and sleepovers. Caddy was a generous person, always having extra gifts to share with children or adults. She made the best sweet potato pies which were so delicious that she had to start making double batches, because several of us wanted our own…and she did.

Inheriting that Strong Collins Personality, occasionally exposed her stubborn-bossy-pouty side, but it would subside. She still loved you, comforted you and never judged.

Being raised in the Catholic faith played a major part in shaping Catherine’s character and demeanor. Her faith sustained her after suffering innumerable losses and she never became bitter or weak. She chose the happy road.

She also loved: shopping, casinos, taking pictures, glittered hats, sweets-pretzels-pickles, Maryland crabs, laughing at “So-So” the cat and listening to all types of music, especially Mahalia Jackson.

In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by: her loving husband Leon Watson, Sr., two sons Russell and Francis Ware, siblings: Audrey Reynolds, Evelyn Neal, Etheline Hyson, Betty Ford, Gloria Lemons, Lola Cedeno and Freddie Collins.

She leaves to cherish her memories: son Leon Jr. (Angel); grandchildren Arman (Carmelita) and Kenneth Ware, Enniker Archer and Pedro Hill: great-granddaughter Morgan: sister Joanne Stepney: sister-in-law Sheila Danforth (Fred); God-daughter Ariel Watson and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Catherine fought the good fight; she has finished the race; she kept the faith; and now she is singing with Mahalia in God’s Heavenly Choir.