James Leo Watson (5-7-13) service 5-10-13

James Leo Watson

James Leo Watson, 96, of Henderson, Tenn., died Tuesday, May 7, at Henderson Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in Hookers Bend, the son of the late Samuel Martin and Mary Etta Williams Watson. He was united in marriage to Pauline Ethel Allen, who preceded him in death.

Mr. Watson joined the U.S. Army in 1942. He served his country in North Africa, Siscilly, Sardenia, Corsica, Italy, France, Belgium, Alsace, Lorraine, Germany, Hungary and Czechoslovakia with the 353rd Anti Artillery in the Search Light Battalion, Battery B. He received an honorable discharge on Oct. 12, 1945. He was employed for many years by Marvin Jones Produce Company of Jackson, and later worked for Jackson Madison County General Hospital. He was a member of the Pinson United Methodist Church. He was active in functions and groups in Pinson including the Pinson Ruritan Club where he served in several offices and as district governor.

Funeral services were Friday, May 10, at Shackelford Funeral Directors–Casey Chapel with Jimmy Dyer officiating and burial followed in Oakland Cemetery at Hookers Bend.

He is survived by daughters Judy Lowrance of Beech Bluff, and Jane Ellis of Bald Knob, Ark., four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Russell Watson; and sisters Mary Nell Watson, Evelyn Frazier and Annie Laura Akin.