James Durwood 'Jimmy' Watson

Jimmy "Big Daddy' Watson, age 80, of Wesson, MS, formerly of Cleveland, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2015, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Ray Funeral Home. The service will be June 24, 2015, at 10:00 AM also at Ray Funeral Home. Burial will follow at North Cleveland Cemetery with Reverend Bob Hill officiating. Jimmy was born August 10, 1934, in Webster County to Clarence Arnold and Iva Hazzard Watson. He graduated from Merigold High School in 1953, enlisted in the Army, and served in occupied Germany for 3 years. Jimmy married Laverne Hays in 1957 at Calvary Baptist Church where he remained a member until his illness. They resided in Cleveland for 54 of those years before moving to Wesson, MS. Jimmy Retired from Trunkline Gas after 30 years. He loved fishing and hunting with his boys, and spending time with his lifetime friends that he made when he moved to Merigold at 12 years old from Alva, MS. He was a member of The American Legion, the VFW, and The Cleveland Moose Lodge. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Watson of Grenada; and two sisters, Helen Watson Beasley of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Sarah Watson Sullivan of Natchez. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 57 years, Laverne; four children, Jo Donna Watson (A.B. Cox) of Cleveland, MS, Stacy Powell (Buddy) of Summit, MS, Dr. Bob Watson (Dr. Diane) of Brookhaven, MS, and Bo Watson of Wesson, MS; grandchildren, Mike Powell (Rachel) of Brookhaven, MS, Justin Watson of Cleveland, MS, Kristi Orr (Guy) of McComb, MS, Caroline Watson Metairie, LA, Colton, Cameron, Carter and Cade Watson of Wesson, MS, Madelyn Patrick of Birmingham, AL, Dalton Watson of Greenville, MS, and Paul Cox (Dene) of Cleveland, MS; and great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Cecile Powel, Parker and Jacks Watson, and Trace and Shannon Cox. Pallbearers will be friends of the family: Glen Bowlin, Steven Jennings, Daryl lara, Brandon Warren, Taylor Shaffer, Keith Hewitt, Kelly Brackin and Michael Powell. Honorary Pallbearers will be his co-workers from Trunkline Gas. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church on Bishop Rd. in Cleveland, MS or to the charity of one's choice.

Visitation

5:00 pm - 8:00 am Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Celebration of Life

10:00 am Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment

10:30 am Wednesday, June 24, 2015
North Cleveland Cemetery. N Bayou Cleveland, Mississippi, United States