Silbia Sarah Watson

Sallie Brown on June 6, 1918, in Maysville, South Carolina. She transitioned from labor to reward on November 12, 2025. During the Jim Crow era, Silbia was educated through the Lee County School System in South Carolina and worked on a farm to support her family while caring for her elderly father. Silbia was the oldest of four children. She often spoke of all the things that her father instilled in her and she passionately passed this knowledge onto her children and grandchildren. She felt a sense of pride that her family made the successful move from the deep South to the North (Washington, DC) in 1975. Although she had limited education, she instilled in her children to get their education and often reminded them “not to be an educated fool”.

Shortly after moving to Washington, DC, she joined Second New St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of late Dr. Edgar L. Williams. She later moved her membership to Eastern Community Church.

Silbia found her greatest fulfillment within her family. Over the years, she played a pivotal role in raising and supporting her family, serving as the steadfast matriarch. Her unwavering faith and compassion extended beyond her immediate family. Silbia’s gentle spirit and warm heart touched the lives of everyone she met, creating lasting memories and love that will continue to inspire

those who knew her.

She is preceded in death by one brother, Ransom, Jr.; three sisters, Mary, Julia and Janie Mae; and her four children, Mary, David, Marchtine, and Dorothy.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, James (Lucille), and daughter Julia (Waverly); seven grandchildren, Sylvia (Rudy), Calvin, Desmond, Sarah, Doris (deceased), Natasha, and Tiffany; eleven great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family including Larry

Durant Jr, Nathaniel Durant, Herbert Durant, Freddie Durant, Virginia Lesane, Annie Wilson, and Gloria Dingle.