Obituaries

Jean Elizabeth Watson-Ewing was born January 15, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Clyde Campbell and Vernon Lambus. She was a warm and giving soul who was passionate about education and helping others. She also loved to read Scripture, having accepted God into her life at an early age and becoming a longtime member of Greater Imani Church.
Jean graduated from Vashon High School in St. Louis as an honor student and moved on to receive both her associate and bachelor's degrees from Southern Illinois University in the late 1970s. She later received her master's degree from Bowie University in Maryland in 1988. Because of her educational achievements, Jean was nearly recruited into the Air Force by top officials who mistook for her a well-accomplished man!
From 1976 – 1990, Jean enjoyed a decades-long career working for the federal government as a Corrections Officer at D.C. Jail in Washington, D.C. When she moved to Tennessee, she worked for the state as a social worker, protecting the rights of children at Youth Villages. She also worked at Mark H. Luttrell Correctional Center as a counselor to inmates before retiring. However, her retirement was short-lived, as she found herself wanting to return to helping others. Jean worked as a resident assistant in a nursing home for another ten years before officially retiring at the age of 75 years young.
Jean is survived by her siblings, Diane Lambus, Lesley Lambus, and George Lambus; her five children, Suzanne Ray, Pennie Watson, Adrian Watson III, Darryl Green, and George Green; six grandchildren, Jasmine Ray, Tabetha Ray, Latasha Ray, Latoya Green, Nicky Ray, and Skyller Ray; several nieces and nephews; as well as a multitude of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends who all love her and will miss her deeply.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901) 379-0861.
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Service
17
Aug
1626 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134