Marion Mae Oliver

(May 26, 1941 – January 25, 2025)

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, Marion Mae Oliver, 83, of Washington D.C., was called home to be with our Heavenly Father. She was comforted and surrounded by her loving and caring family.

Marion was born on May 26, 1941, in Washington D.C. to Carl and Sarah Watts. Fondly known as “Sis” to many and the only girl of six children. She attended McKinley High School in Northeast and graduated in 1957. In her senior year of high school, Sis was selected for an internship at Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington, D.C. Following high school, she held a successful career working as a federal employee for the Department of Commerce. After 40 years of service, she retired in December 1999. Before retiring, Sis received several awards and merits for her stellar work and service in the federal government.

Sis was a very kind, lighthearted, and easygoing woman who cherished a simple life with her family and close friends. We fondly remember her being the Double-Dutch youth champion in her neighborhood known as Randolph Place. Everyone who knew Sis knew how she rarely watched television and instead enjoyed crossword puzzles, Word Find, and Family Feud, which she felt was entertaining and good exercise for the mind. We’ll always remember her saying “I need to regroup” and “I’ve got things to do”.

She was always encouraging of loved ones and both supportive and non-judgemental of those who might have been facing challenges. Sis had very close relationships with her cousin, Diane and sisters-in-law, whom she shared very lasting and loving bonds with. She loved to laugh and often shared a pleasant grin when talking to others, which we all enjoyed.

Sis was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Sarah, older brother Carl, Jr (Nedra), younger brother, Archie and oldest son, Kevin. She is survived by her two daughters, Katherine “Kathy” Lesesne (Pierre) and Karen Williams, and son Andre Cole. Her brothers, Kenneth Watts (Nettie), Melvin Watts, and Donnell Watts (Celestine). She was the grandmother to 11 grandchildren including Destinee Lesesne, Brionna Lesesne (William), Letitia Smith (Michael), Lequita Williams (Ariel), Lashawn McCullers, Latasha McCullers, Tamikia Jackson, Kevin Jackson, Jabré Cole (Kimayah), Taylah Cole (Léara), and Sasha Cole. She was also the great grandmother to 19 great-grandchildren. She also left behind several very loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and distant relatives.

We couldn’t have asked for a more loving and kinder mother, daughter, sister, grandparent, and loved one. Sis will be truly missed.