James Edward Watson Sr.

Deacon James Edward Watson, Sr. was born February 3, 1936 in Atmore, Alabama to the late David E. Watson and Anna Margurite Williams (Kirkland). He professed a hope in Christ at an early age. He was a graduate of Horace Mann High School in 1956 and enlisted in the United States Army where he served for two years and received an honorable discharge. On October 16, 1959, James E. Watson, Sr. united in holy matrimony to Vera Mae Mitchell of Little Rock, Ark. They shared a blessed and loving life together for 57 years. In 1993, he became a member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., where he was the Sunday School Superintendent, member of the choir, male chorus and brotherhood study group. He was ordained as a deacon while at St. Paul Baptist Church but later united with St. Matthew Baptist Church in Scott, Ark., where Pastor James Sloan is/was Deacon James E. Watson's spiritual leader. He also was a faithful sunday school teacher, choir member, male chorus singer and deacon at St. Matthew Baptist Church. He was an avid fisherman, gardner but most importantly he loved his family. He was self- employed as a certified automatic transmission technician. He leaves a wife of 57 years that he loved and cherished until the end Vera M. Watson; three sons, Brian Toombs (Marie) Fort Worth, Texas; James E. Watson Jr. (Anna) Lakewood, Calif., and Mark D. Watson (Sharon) of Little Rock, Ark.; two daughters, Lynda Cooper of Little Rock, Ark., and Gail Dandredge (Daryl) of Little Rock, Ark.; two sisters, Christine Gordon of Elkins Park, Pa. and Marjorie Armon (Raymond) of Little Rock, Ark.; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews cousins and friends. Home going services will be Monday, May 8, 2017, 11 a.m., at St. Matthew Baptist Church, 6411 S. Kerr Road, Scott, Ark. Interment will follow with honors at Arkansas State Veteran Cemetery, 1501 Maryland Ave., NLR, Ark. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 7, 2017, 4-5 p.m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St., LR (501) 372-1305.