Orie Lee (Minnis) Watson

March 2, 1940 - May 6, 2016

ATLANTA - Orie Lee Watson (Big Sister) of Atlanta, GA, passed away at 2:00 p.m. on Friday May 6, 2016, in HospiceCare in Duluth, GA. Mrs. Watson, 76, was born on March 2, 1940, in Portageville, MO, to the late Thomas and Irene (Clark) Minnis.

Orie moved to South Bend with her mother in 1949. She attended Central High School. She was married to Isaiah Watson who preceded her in death. After 20-plus years of service she retired from Bendix in South Bend and relocated to Gary, IN, where she worked for the State of Indiana for 7 years. After which she relocated back to South Bend and shortly thereafter moved to Atlanta GA, where she spent the last 24 years.

Orie Lee loved her family and enjoyed being engaged in conversations and networking, getting to know people. She never met a stranger. Some of her hobbies included fishing, playing BINGO and card games.

Orie Leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Theresa Diane (Husband) Elms, of Atlanta, GA; one granddaughter, Denita (Outony) Redman; four great-grandchildren, Robert Hawkins, ReAna Thomas, Reion Wright and Miracle Tutman of Atlanta GA; one stepson, James Johnson Killeen, TX; three sisters, Ronalda Minnis, Indianapolis, IN, Huberta (Kyle) Casey, South Bend, IN, and Darlene Minnis, Atlanta, GA; five brothers, Arthur Lattimore and Bluthers (Noly) Casey, South Bend, IN, David Adams Killeen, TX, Donald (Jamie) Thomas, Orlando, FL, and Larry Washington, South Bend, IN.

Preceding her in death were her maternal grandparents, Herman and Mandy Bates, cousin, Anna Hooks, three brothers, Cecile Angew, Willie B. Minnis and Keith Geidon,

She also leaves to her memory a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends, Lafayette Newsome, who also preceded her in death.

A Memorial Service will take place at Alford's Mortuary on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Alford's Mortuary.

Visit our website at www.AlfordsMortuaryinc.com to send a condolence or to sign family guestbook.

Published by South Bend Tribune on May 12, 2016.

03/09/2023 EJS