Rev. Dr. Melvin Watson

Melvin Watson, son of the late J. Everett and Mattie Marie (Nolan) Watson, was born December 3, 1924 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He was the first of six children. At the age of 12, Melvin accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized at the Lebanon Baptist Church in Gatlinburg. In 1941, Melvin enlisted in the United States Army just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served his country faithfully during World War II and until his honorable discharge in 1945. In December 1946, Melvin surrendered to the call to preach. He preached his first official sermon at Riverview Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee and was ordained in April 1947. Over the next several years, Melvin pastored in North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, and in Missouri. While in Missouri, he pastored Bethlehem Baptist Church near Richland, Pine Creek Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Primrose Baptist Church in Bonne Terre, Hickory Hills Baptist Church in St. Robert and First Baptist Church in St. Robert. At the time of his death, Melvin was a member of the Berean Baptist Church where he attended as long as his health permitted. Melvin was united in marriage to Evelyn Ogle and to this union was born four children: Larry, Conelia, Jimmy, and Janice. Melvin and Evelyn shared more than 16 years of marriage before she preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was three of their children, Conelia, Janice and Jimmy. On January 29, 1959, Melvin was united in marriage to Wanda Barringer in Ringgold, Georgia. They shared over 52 years of marriage together and were blessed with one daughter, Annette. Melvin went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in the Sunset Village of the Ozarks of St. Robert. He had attained the age of 86 years, 3 months and 24 days. Melvin will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by his wife, Wanda of the home; two children: Larry Watson (Betty Jo) of Kingston, TN and Annette Snyder (Kirby) of Plato, MO; one sister: Helen Peppers (Ronald) of Oxen Hill, Maryland; one brother: Von Watson (Glenda) of the state of Tennessee; nine grandchildren: Jason, Darrell, Samantha, Josh, Simone, Patty, Alesha, Justin and Kimberly; six great grandchildren: Jeremiah, Jason Tyler, Destiny, Trinity, Emili and Jason; brother-in-law: Charles Barringer of Florida; good friend: Harold McKinnish of North Carolina; several other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, wife Evelyn and three children, Melvin was preceded in death by three brothers: Euall, Mayford and Inman Mark (I.M.) and an adoptive daughter, Seon Bass. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 31, 2011 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Pastor Scott Chastain officiating. Denny Marr read the obituary and recalled his wonderful memories of Rev. Watson. Pianist Dorothy Marr sang “What A Day that Will Be”. Soloist Cassie Allen sang “Somewhere Around the Throne” and the song “Beulah Land” was played. Serving as escorts were Tim Gormley, Luis (C.J.) Bearga, Jim Shrieves, Don Sanders, Artie Wright and Randy King. Burial with military honors followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Missouri Honors Team of Rolla, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Melvin Watson to the Berean Baptist Church Building Fund or to the Gideon Bibles and may be left at the funeral home.