Deacon Norman M. Watson
8/15/1940 – 11/30/2023
The Early Years - Norman Murdock Watson was born August 15, 1940, to the late Ananias and the late Lucille Straughn Watson of Quintette, Florida. Norman was the youngest child born to Ananias and Lucille and was well-loved by his older siblings. The Watsons were a hard-working farming family with a good name throughout the Quintette, Molino, Century and Cantonment communities. Ananias guided Norman to treat people fairly, instilled a strong work ethic, directed him regarding maintaining high family values and the importance of service to others. Norman let the principles taught by his father and the lessons learned from working the farm steer his life path.
Norman was educated in the Escambia County School System. He attended Molino/Cedartown Elementary, George Washington Carver High and graduated from Ransom High School in 1958. Norman was also enrolled at Washington Junior College and Pensacola Junior College. Secular education is essential, but the Watsons were also rooted in Christian education. At an early age, Norman accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and united with the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Quintette, where he and his family were very active in the church.
Work Life – One of Norman’s first jobs was working for Crane’s Beauty Supply. Norman was responsible for making sales and deliveries of beauty supply products. Norman served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era. Norman was stationed in Germany and was assigned to a tank platoon during the war. Norman received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1965 and returned to Pensacola. Norman then became employed with the Monsanto Chemical Company, where we worked for over thirty-three years.
Family Life - Upon returning home from the Army, Norman soon met Geneva Bell. After several months of dating, Norman proposed and Geneva accepted. The pair wed in June of 1966. After being married for several years, Norman and Geneva built their family home. The home was built a few miles from some of Norman’s lifelong friends and cousins. Norman was purposeful about being close to family and creating family memories. In March of 1972, Norman and Geneva were blessed with a son, Keith, and in June of 1974, a daughter, Jonita was born. Family life was most important to Norman; he was a proud and present father. If his kids were involved in activities, he became involved. From being a t-ball coach to walking parade routes as a band parent, Norman Watson was there. Norman also took pride in hosting large events for family and friends. He loved to set up the backyard patio area and always helped Geneva in the kitchen to prepare food for everyone’s enjoyment. Norman always put his wife and children first; his needs and wants were secondary to his family. Norman worked his regularly scheduled hours at Monsanto, but he also worked a lot of overtime to ensure all the family’s needs and the vast majority of their wants were met.
Church and Community – During childhood and as a young adult, Norman was a member of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church. When Norman married Geneva, he moved his church membership to Trinity Baptist Church to fellowship, where Geneva was a member. In 1982, Norman united with the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained a faithful member until his sudden passing. Norman was active in several ministries at Antioch. He participated with the Male Chorus, Deacon Board and Sunday School. Norman’s church activities were essential to him, but he also saw the need to serve his community. He was an active member of the Monsanto/Solutia Retirees Association, Lincoln Park Elementary School Advisory Council, and the L.O.K. Homeowner’s Association. Norman recently spearheaded projects with the Homeowner’s Association to add lighting and sidewalks in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood.
Norman leaves to cherish his memories two devoted children, Keith and Jonita; a brother Walter (Lee Ola) Watson; a sister Rose L. Smith; a sister in law Mattie Watson, five grandchildren Keyanna Watson, Shandelyn Reese, Keith Watson Jr., Taylissa Briggs and Tyron Briggs; four great-grandchildren Caiden, Zoe, Melanie, Ashton; five godchildren Tracy Leroy, Kennon Farrow, Justin Snyder, Brittany Watson and Scotty Morris; lifelong friends, fishing buddies; hundreds of cousins, nieces and nephews from the Watson, Straughn, Harris, Sword and Smith Families.
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Deacon Norman M. Watson
8/15/1940 – 11/30/2023
The Early Years - Norman Murdock Watson was born August 15, 1940, to the late Ananias and the late Lucille Straughn Watson of Quintette, Florida. Norman was the youngest child born to Ananias and Lucille and was well-loved by his older siblings. The Watsons were a hard-working
