Bobby Ray Watson, Sr.

Bobby R. Watson, Sr. of Hampton, Virginia, passed away at the Hampton Roads Specialty Hospital on May19, 2010, just 7 days before his 73rd birthday. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for over seven years.

Mr. Watson was a native of Dry Prong, Louisiana, lived in Jacksonville, Florida for a number of years, and has been a resident of Hampton, Virginia since 1973.

Mr. Watson served in the United States Navy as a Gunners’ Mate 2nd Class, and retired from the US Postal Service as a letter carrier. Following retirement, he worked for a number of years as a DX driver for Thompson Ford, Hampton Chevrolet, Bowditch Ford, and Enterprise Rental Car. Mr.Watson was a member of the Hampton Church of the Nazarene.

Mr. Watson is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jean Owens Watson; his children; Michael Rowan (Shawna) of Portland, Tennessee; Curtis Rowan of Norfolk, Virginia; Deborah Sherwood (Doug) of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina; Bobby Watson, Jr. (Chari) of Ringgold, Georgia; and grandchildren; Aaron Hendrickson, Ashley Hendrickson, Stephanie Sherwood, Amy Rowan, Curtis Rowan, Jr., Makenzie Sherwood, Keller Watson, and Kamden Watson. He is also survived by two sisters, Judy Bruni (Buddy) of Cumming, Georgia and Betty Kenney (Gene) of Houtzdale, Pennsylvania; uncle, Ted Watson of Hampton; as well as a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Mr. Watson was an incredible guy and will be sadly missed by family and friends. He was affectionately known as Honey Bob, Miracle Man, Timex Watch, and Energizer Bunny.

The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 pm, Friday May 21, 2010 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 22, at 11:00 am at the Hampton Church of the Nazarene, located at 32 Tide Mill Lane, and will be concluded at the Hampton Memorial Gardens with military honors. The services will be conducted by Rev. Douglas Sherwood (son-in-law), and Rev. Walt Kriner, pastor of the deceased and his family.

Pall-bearers will be Steve Pagano, John Ayers, Bill Bartlett, Harold Pinkerton, Artie Jessup, and Robert Styron.

The family wishes to express their heart-felt gratitude to the incredible staff of doctors and nurses that have provided care for Mr. Watson in his last months and years at the Riverside Medical Hospital, Sentara Careplex, and Hampton Roads Specialty Hospital.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, 23666.