Ernestine Watts

Ernestine Caldwell Lewis Watts was the daughter of Emma Grant Caldwell Stevenson and Lawrence Coker Caldwell.

Ernestine was born in Asheville NC, where she attended and graduated from Stephens-Lee High School.  After graduation she moved to Chicago, Il. It was there she met and married Carl J. Lewis in 1956 and to this union was born two sons. LaMar S. Lewis (deceased) and Rodney Lewis (deceased). Also, two wonderful stepchildren, Donzella Lewis Buckner and Carl J. Lewis Jr. were added to this union.

Ernestine attended and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education at Chicago Teachers College and her Master of Science Degree in Education at Chicago State University.  She taught school in Chicago for 23 years and after returning to Asheville She taught in Asheville City Schools for 12 years where she retired after a total of 35 years of teaching.

After a careful study of scriptures with Jehovah’s Witness and wanting to apply the things, she learned she dedicated and symbolized that dedication through water baptism on July 1, 1977, in Chicago, Il.

She served Jehovah faithfully until her death. She loved the preaching and teaching work and enjoyed helping others learn about Jehovah.

Ernestine was well known for her willingness to help others and for giving a “Big Hug” to all her Christian brothers and sisters and many new faces that attended the Kingdom Hall. She was well known for her generosity, love and kind heart by her family and friends.

Ernestine maintained her hope of being united with her sons as promised in the Bible at (John 5:28-29). She knew for sure that Jehovah yearns to bring all those in his memory back to life on earth again, forever (Job 14: 14 & 15).

Mrs. Watts leaves to cherish her memory: two beloved stepchildren Donzella Buckner (Chicago Il) and Carl J. Lewis Jr. (Denise) (Chicago, Il), one brother Obie Hutchinson (Gloria) (Chicago, Il), sisters Freddie Maxine Williams (Chicago, Il), Debbie Young Royal (Anthony) (Pine Bluff, AK, Theresa McCarter (Jamestown, NC),  grandsons Norman Buckner, Mario Lewis ; granddaughter Stormy Greene and many nieces, nephews, friends and a host of Christian brothers and sisters.

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Mrs. Watts will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (25 Forest Lake Dr.) at 4:15pm. She will lie in state from 3:30pm until the start of the service. Burial will be on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 11am, at Sunset Cemetery. Viewing will be on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 1pm to 5pm at Avery's Memorial Chapel. The service will be live streamed on Avery's Memorial Chapel's Facebook page.

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