Harold Erskine Watson

Funeral services for Harold Erskine Watson, 92, of Kilgore will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Forest Home Baptist Church with Reverend Riley Pippen officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore on Monday, May 22, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Mr. Watson passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Longview.

Erskine was born on November 12, 1930, in rural Rusk County. He was the son of the late Henry Lark Watson and Effie Irene Waller Watson. Erskine served his country in the United States Air Force. He retired from the United States Postal Service in Kilgore after 27 years of employment. Mr. Watson was a longtime member of the Forest Home Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for many years. Erskine taught Sunday School and served on countless committees at Forest Home Baptist Church. Mr. Watson will be remembered for being a hardworking and fair man who loved his Lord, family, and his country.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Alton Watson; sister, Patsy Watson Walker and husband Alton; daughter-in-law, Donna Watson; sisters-in-law, Shirley Watson, and Carol Watson.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Laverne Lee Watson of Kilgore; sons, David Watson and wife Kelly of Kilgore, and Steve Watson of Winnsboro, Texas; brothers, William Everett Watson of Flint, Texas; and Major General (Retired) Gerald Glenn Watson of Jacksonville, Alabama; grandchildren, Virginia Gayle Brownell (Craig) of Goddard, Kansas, Marc David Watson (Heather) of San Diego, California, Kevin Lee Watson of Gun Barrel City, Texas; Amanda Marie Latham (Matt) of Kilgore; and Jessica Lynn Marquez (Kevin James) of Kilgore; great-grandchildren, Olivia Gayle Brownell and Levi James Brownell both of Goddard, Kansas; Cadance Valarie Watson, Victoria Grace Watson, and Evelynn-Marie Violet Watson all of San Diego, California; many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Memorials may be made in the memory of Harold Erskine Watson to Forest Home Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1340 Kilgore, Texas 75663-1340.