Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Watson, Leroy P. April 7, 2003
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Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com February 24, 2015, 4:14 pm

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Tuesday, April 15, 2003
The Rev. L.P. Watson of the 6100 block of Tidewater Drive gently departed this 
life April 7, 2003 at Norfolk Health Care Center. 

He was a native of the former Princess Anne County now Virginia Beach and the 
son of the late Pauline and Eddie Watson. 

Rev. Watson attended public schools in Florida and graduated from Blake High 
School, Tampa, Fla. He held degrees from St. Petersburg City College, a Bachelor 
of Divinity from Teamer's School of Religion, Charlotte, N.C.; and Honorary 
Doctor of Divinity, RHEMA Seminary and College, Norfolk. He continued his 
studies at Temple University, Philadelphia, and Norfolk State University. 

Rev. Watson was an ex-boxer nicknamed ``Champ'' who fought on top notch cards 
during the 1940s. 

He served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Norfolk, from 1971 to 1993 and 
was honored as Pastor Emeritus. The Rev. Watson was the founder and pastor of 
the Highway Missionary Baptist Church, Norfolk. He was attending a Spanish 
church, Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana DE, Virginia Beach. 

Rev. Watson's commitment and dedication in religious and civic affairs started 
in Tampa, Fla., where he served as vice president of the Tampa Branch of the 
NAACP and member, Baptist Ministerial Brotherhood of Broward County and the 
Greater St. Lauderdale Ministerial Association. He served on numerous boards and 
held many leadership positions. These include: first vice president, second vice 
president and secretary, Tidewater Metro Ministers' Baptist Conference; vice 
president, Norfolk Clergy Associations; moderator, Tidewater Peninsula Baptist 
Association; member of the Executive Board, Virginia Baptist State Convention; 
chairman, Area II Branches, Virginia State NAACP, life member of NAACP; 
president and vice president of the Norfolk Branch; chairman, Mayor's Committee 
for Police Community Relations; member, Chaplaincy Staff, Lake Taylor Hospital; 
vice president and secretary, Spanish Club, Norfolk State University; member, 
Board of Directors, Norfolk Crime Line; chairman, Legal Redress Committee, 
Norfolk Branch NAACP; member, Advisory Council, Minority Affairs, WAVY-TV 10; a 
substitute teacher, secondary level, Norfolk Public Schools; and a member of the 
Yiddish Club, Jewish Community Center of Tidewater. 

Rev. Watson is survived by a daughter, Shirley Scott of Dayton, Ohio; a son, 
David Watson and wife Diane of Harvey, La.; ex-wife, Sylvia Watson of Tampa, 
Fla.; a faithful and devoted grandson, Robert Watson of Chesapeake; seven other 
grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; his very dear friend, Ellen V. Powers of 
Norfolk; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. 

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Bethlehem Baptist Church, Link 
Street, Norfolk. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery . Graves Funeral Home is 
in charge.

Additional Comments:
Calvary Cemetery

WATSON, LEROY P	483	Section 21, Block 21, Lot 187, Space WCTR N 83	M	
04/17/2003

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