Deacon Jim R. Watt

Roosevelt and Odessa Watt were blessed, on March 21, 1931, to have their eldest son Jim R. Watt born in Rust County, Texas. Jim was privileged to be embraced by his loving family that would grow to include five other siblings. He sojourned in and around the Mayflower - Easton - Longview communities and attended school in Easton. He worshipped the Lord at the Post Oak CME church early in life.

In the late 1940’s Jim left the Mayflower – Easton community in search of life away from the farm. Arriving in Dallas he put his enviable work ethic to good use. He toiled to provide for his family that grew to include three children – Margaret Ann, James Howard, and Earnest Bernard.

Jim found success in Dallas and built on to his upbringing by working several different jobs in addition to becoming a self-professed pig sloppier. He knew that success meant not only working hard, sometimes on two jobs, to feed his family but becoming an owner of property. He hustled, making deals that were to his advantage and on his terms. Jim had goals in his vision and would not let them out of his sight. He was a man that wanted to achieve all he could.

Jim found something else in his sights that he would also gain – a love and his gem – Artie. Their first meeting was where he told her she would be his wife. His love for her and his faith in God proved to be worthy of his time and effort. God led what he did, and Artie followed in achieving what they set out to do.

God is major part of the lives of Jim and Artie. God also was a special reason for Jim’s willingness to serve. He did so for years as a leader and deacon at Greater New Bethel Church and later as a mentor and deacon at Starlight Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where he served for twenty plus years until his health diminished. Our Lord acknowledged Jim’s service by calling him to His bosom on July 17, 2021, to forever abide with Him.

Jim worked relentlessly over time and finally retired after forty (40) years of service to Kroger Company. Shortly afterward he gave up working, stopped raising hogs, and devoted his time to his church, his wife, and his family.

He will be remembered for an enthusiasm to talk to anyone willing to listen, sharing wisdom that was often hidden in rhymes sometimes hard to figure out, and his love for coffee and honey buns. His favorite bit of good advice was to “live holy” a sentiment he held dear and that was given as often as he could to those he met.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; Roosevelt and Odessa Watt, siblings; Pearlee Nelson, Mittie Ann Horton, Elious Watt, Robbie Nell Andrews, and children; Margret Ann and Earnest Bernard Watt. Jim leaves to cherish and celebrate his life: his wife of fifty-nine (59) years – Artie Watt; his son – James Bernard Watt; his sister – Dessie M. Davis, thirty-five (35) nieces and nephews; three (3) grandchildren, and a host of cousins and friends.