Ida M. Watson was born on October 22, 1948, in Marianna, Florida, to Missouri and Earnest White Sr. She was the fourth of seven children. Ida was surrounded by family as she peacefully entered eternal life on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Ida married Joe E. Watson on June 4, 1974. Together, they raised two beautiful daughters, Renee Watson Frazilus and Stacey Watson Johnson, who were fondly known as "Ida and her girls."

Ida received her early education at Cottondale Middle School in Cottondale, Florida. She graduated from Jackson County Training School in Marianna, Florida, in June 1968.

Ida accepted Christ at an early age at Bethlehem AME Church in Cottondale, Florida. As she grew in her faith, she relocated to Newark, NJ, where she joined The First Baptist Church of Nutley, NJ, and sang in the Adult Choir. In 2004, she became a founding member of Petra Baptist Church in Montclair, NJ. On July 30, 2006, she was ordained as a member of the Diaconate at Petra and remained a faithful member until her transition into eternity. She was a woman of great faith, living by one of her favorite sayings: “Put your time in because payday is coming after a while.”  

Ida was known as a “Prayer Warrior” who loved the Lord and ensured she imparted that love onto her children and grandchildren Chelsea, Faith and D. Bryce. She was not only a woman of faith and devoted mother she was also a dedicated and valued employee of NJ Transit. She worked there for more than four decades, retiring in 2011 after 42 years of service.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents, Missouri and Earnest White Sr.; her husband, Joe E. Watson; her brothers, Frederick, Cecil, and Joe Lee White; her loving sons through marriage, Joe Jr. and Dan Watson; her loving daughters through marriage, Aretha Jean Williams and JoAnn Howard; and her cherished bonus grandsons, Kareem Watson, Kayson Helms, and David Eliezer Israel Woolfolk.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Renee (Jessy) Watson Frazilus and Stacey (Edward) Watson Johnson; her siblings: Delores (Andrew) Gillette, Edith Vandora Clemons, and Earnest White Jr.; her sister-in-law, Soni White; her grandchildren: Chelsea Jessica Frazilus, Faith Marlin Johnson, Danny Bryce Frazilus and her loving fur baby “Dougie”.

She also leaves behind loving children through marriage: Johnny Watson, Larry (Doreatha) Watson, Kevin (Marie) Woolfolk, Joseph (Toni) Helms, Reggie (Anette) Helms, Daniel Watson, and Vanetta Hill, along with a host of bonus grandchildren whom she will love eternally.

Ida’s legacy will continue to live through her siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and extended family. Her love and kindness have left an everlasting impact on those she touched. She will forever live in the hearts of all who knew her, and while her departure leaves a void that can never be filled, her memory will remain a beacon of love, style and grace.