Erma Jean (Watson) Richards

In the beginning: On May 27,1931, in Morrows, Louisiana, Erma Jean Watson was born to Clifton & Victorica Williams Watson. I was reared in Fourth Ward (Freedman’s Town) with my first & best friend forever, my sister Ora Lee. Being 17 months older, Ora was so much more in-tune with our environment. I was extremely shy, if I could have crawled in a hole and pulled the hole in after me, I would have. I was not only left-handed in a right-handed world, but I was always the last one to be chosen on any team. If by some miracle I ended up with the ball, everyone would duck not knowing which direction I would throw it. I didn’t excel at playing Jacks, either. That is enough about me, I want to talk about GOD.

Consider this my last BIBLE teaching assignment titled “GOD is LOVE” (John 3:16)

GOD loves you. HE knows your fears, doubts, joys, sorrows and everything about you. What you may not realize is HIS Presence in all your daily activities. HE knows what you are doing, and HE loves you anyway. HE loved all of us so much that HE sent HIS only Son to die for our salvation. Try HIM, get in a good Bible teaching class and learn of HIM. HE is as near as your next breath. Do not accept hell as your final destination.

If you are tired of being tired and want a better life, go to GOD in prayer. Tell HIM you want to get off this treadmill. Ask for forgiveness of your sins and you are on the way to a better life. It will not be very easy, at times, but the peace and joy that envelopes you will last into eternity. GOD bless you.

To my church family: We have been together for a very long time, and we know and understand each other. We have become one big family held together by our love of GOD and each other. You have given me so many spiritual daughters, sons, sisters and brothers. It has been one of my greatest joys seeing our youth grow up and take flight. We have been through many storms together, sickness, death, financial difficulties and floods, you name it. Through it all, we trusted GOD and cared for one another. We were a loving church then and we are now. We’ve had very good pastoral and laity leadership, for the most part. GOD has been with us then and HE is with us now.

It was here at Blueridge that I came to know GOD for myself. Through many years of Bible study, Sunday School classes, three years of Disciples classes, participation in workshops and other educational opportunities, led by anointed Pastors and laity, I lost my shyness. I found my holy boldness, and it is here at Blueridge that I learned to trust GOD and have the zeal to serve him as well as how to share what little we had and give freely of our time and resources. Keeping the church alive and vibrant has always been our goal. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. I went from being a secretary who didn’t know what minutes were, to being the first Black Treasurer and the Second Black President of the District United Methodist Women. I was not at all shy. Only GOD!!

I am preceded in death by my parents, Clifton & Victorica Watson (duh), my spouse, Darby Richards, my eldest son, Darby “Andre” Richards and youngest son, Theodore “BB” Richards, grandson, Renaud “Dell” Richards and my sister, Barbara Rylander.

I am survived by my grandson Christopher Richards (Meagan), granddaughter Rani Williams (Micheal), great-grandchildren, Karson Richards, Simone Richards, Ariyah Richards and Madisyn Williams and my sister, Ora Lee Martin of Los Angeles, CA, a host of nieces and nephew and friends.