Ora Watson-Wilson

The Life, Love, and Legacy of Ora Dee Watson-Wilson

Ora Dee Watson-Wilson began her life’s journey on August 28, 1952, In Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Born to her parents Henry Wilson and Minnie Williams, Ora was the 3rd child born.  she grew up spending her childhood in Alabama surrounded by the love and friendship that she shared with her brother and sisters.  The bond that they shared was one full of many fond memories of fun times, fellowship, laughter, unconditional love and lasted from childhood well into their adult years.

Ora received her formal education in the Alabama Public School system and attended Choctaw County High School.  As a young child, she was very diligent in her studies and understood that education was just one of the many avenues that would pave the way for her to achieve the dreams and goals that she had for her life.  In her early young adult years, she relocated to Denver, Colorado.  With her mother and siblings by her side, Denver became her new home and the place where she would continue to purpose God’s purpose and plan for her life.

Ora attended Community College of Denver and graduated on May 11, 1995, with her associate degree in applied science.  However, being the driven woman she was, she did not stop there.   Shortly after graduating from CCD, Ora enrolled with Metropolitan State University and graduated in 1997, receiving her bachelor’s degree in science.  This was a monumental accomplishment in her life, one that would continue to open doors and lead her down a path toward success.  Ora was employed with Denver Cares at Denver Health as a Supervisor.   After many years of faithful and dedicated service, she was blessed to retire after serving in this capacity for well over 20 plus years.  Ora received recognition and numerous awards for her outstanding service and commitment to excellence during her career.  Some of those honors include her dedication and service to youth, various certificates of leadership training, and recognition from the State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners for commitment to the vision of consumer protection.

Ora was the proud and loving mother of Shannon Denise, Nicola LaShalle, and Charra Nashay.  her children were a source of joy in her life.  Being a mother gave Ora a sense of tremendous pride was one of her biggest responsibilities, highest accomplishments, and greatest honors.  As a mother, her children will always remember her as being very strict, no-nonsense, but comforting and understanding with her approaches in their upbringing.  At the root of all that she did, love was always the driving force.  Later in life, one of Ora’s additional sources of pride and joy was being a grandmother to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  she was a loving grandma, providing her grandkids with the same no-nonsense care, love, and support she gave her children.  There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for any of her babies.

Ora professed the Lord as her Savior early in life.  Upon relocating to Denver, she joined King Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. A.J. Gay.  After Rev. Gay’s passing, she continued her membership under the pastoral leadership of Rev. T. E. Hendricks.  During her time at King, Ora served as leader of the Recovery Ministry.  This work was near and dear to her heart and provided her with the opportunity to further provide her expertise in drug and alcohol counseling in service to her church, church family and the community.  Ora was a faithful and dedicated member of King Baptist Church for over 30 years.

On August 15, 2008, Ora was united in marriage to the love of her life, Danny Ray Wilson.  She chose this date for them to marry because it was in between both of her and Danny’s birthdays.  Ora and Danny spent their years together, traveling to visit family and friends, hosting family cookouts and get-togethers, and being surrounded by the love and support of family.  Ora and Danny faithfully attended the 8 o’clock service where you’d often see her sitting in the pews alongside her sister, Delores, her mother, Minnie, and supporting her husband as he sang with the male chorus.  She also supported the youth and children on 5th Sundays and would be present for all the special days and church celebrations.  A woman of the Word, Ora’s favorite passages of scripture were Isaiah 53:5 AND Psalm 23 and she made sure that prayer was a regular and consistent part of her daily walk with the Lord.

In her spare time, Ora enjoyed painting, writing poetry, playing Bid Whist, listening to gospel music, reading her Bible, sewing, spending time with all her family, and sitting on the back porch with her husband.  Ora was an exceptional cook and was well known for knowing how to throwdown in the kitchen.  If you ever had her food, you know that her homemade banana pudding and dressing were just two of the many specialties that she will always be known for.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Minnie Williams; father, Henry Wilson; and sisters, Willie Wilkerson and Jacquelyn “Jackie” Wilson.

Ora Dee Watson-Wilson departed this life on October 6, 2021 in Denver Colorado. She leaves to honor and cherish her memory her husband, Danny Ray Wilson, of Colorado; Daughters Shannon Denise Watson, Nicola LaShalle Watson-Wilson, and Charra NaShay Watson, all of Colorado; one brother, Dave Wilson; sisters, Delores “Dee” Williams, and Detricia Wilson, both of Colorado; sisters Estelle Wilson, Norma Wilson, and Veronia “Renee” McAlpine, all of Alabama; grandchildren, Shanice Ebony Cofield, Khadijha Nia Cofiled, Jalyn Rashad Thomas, Yasmeen NaShay Cofield, and Na’Iya Justice Clements, all of Colorado; great grandchildren, Aleena NaShay Reaves, Dominique Jordell Wheatfall Grate, and Amir Jayceon Reaves, all of Colorado, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family, and many associates and friends.

To know Ora was the love her.  While we are saddened that her journey on Earth is complete, we take great joy in knowing that she is now resting in the arms of Christ, and we look forward to the day when we will see her again.  Well done, thy good and faithful servant, well done!