Jack Lee Watson Obituary
For everyone God has a purpose. Once that purpose is fulfilled, we must look at the journey and realize that the end is just as significant as the beginning.
Jack Lee Watson was born on April 6, 1943 to Carl Lester Watson and Joe Ella Watson-Collier. To their union two children were born, Jack and Carolyn Jean who preceded him in death. On May 17, 2024 at Select Specialty Hospital God called Jack home to eternal rest. Jack Watson grew up in Pelahatchie, MS. He attended McCall School until he left to work and support his family. Jack was a member of Little Zion United Methodist Church from childhood until its closing. He served as a collection steward and was on the Administration Council for the United Methodist Men. He often maintained the church's cemetery and performed services wherever needed.
Jack entered into holy matrimony with Pearline Lee-Watson and to this union twelve children were born; John, Jackie, Gerald, Alethea, Sandra, Twin boys, Kent, Kenneth, Jeffery, Orenthal and Eric. Later in life Jack married Patsy Joe Adams-Watson and to this union four children were born; Jacqueline, Mitchell, Jack and Joetta.
Jack Watson entered the workforce at an early age. He left school to work with is father Carl Watson in the logging industry to support his mother and elderly grandparents. Later, Jack went on to start his own logging business Watson &Sons. He was also employed with M&H Manufacturing where he became the first African American supervisor for the company. But ultimately he spent the bulk of his career employed with Choctaw Maid and later Tyson Foods as a truck driver. His career with Tyson Foods spanned 25 years and he received multiple "Safe Driver of the Year" awards from the company.
Jack was a quiet man who enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching westerns, listening to the Blues and most of all traveling. Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Route 66, Mississippi Coast, Gulf Shores and New Orleans were some of his favorite places. But most of all Jack enjoyed working with his hands. He enjoyed building, home repairs and welding. It was always said that he built his first house himself. He also enjoyed hanging out and talking with his good friend, Danny Mason. He was well respected and had a positive impact on all those who knew him.
He leaves to cherish his precious memory, a loving and devoted wife who never left his side, Patsy Joe Watson; sons; Gerald Wayne (Myrtis) Watson, Kenneth Watson, Kent (Cynthia) Wat-son, Jeffery Watson, Orenthal (Dorothy) Watson, Eric (Vicki) Watson, Mitchell Odell (Michelle) Watson, Jack (Adrianne) Watson; daughters; Alethea Francine Watson, Jacqueline (Montreal) Loggins, Joetta Loiefanee Watson; Three brothers; Stefan (Rhonda) Watson, Carl (Myla) Wat-son,]r.; Christopher (Stephanie) Smith; one sister; Diane (Robert) Kimble; four step-siblings; Martha Collier, Pamela Reuben, Patty Sims and James Collier; a daughter-in-law Vicki Watson; a special nephew who viewed him as a father; Charles Ant* Cockrell; four special cousins Linda Hill, Ann Jones, Joe Ramsey Jones, Illean Jones, and a godson Danny Mason.
Jack has twenty-five grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by five children; John Earl Watson, Jackie Watson, Sandra Watson and twin baby boys; four grandchildren; Maurice Clyde Watson, Kent "Dove" Watson, Hillary Watson and Amari Loggins; one brother Walter (Ann) Hopkins and one sister Carolyn (Richard) Boyd.
