Burnie M. Watson, Jr. was born February 6, 1923 in McClennon County, Texas. He went home to be with the Lord Saturday, August 28, from his home in the presence of his family.
Burnie is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Bobbie Surles Watson; one son, Lt. Col. Buddie Watson, USAF retired and his wife, Jane of Ruston, Lousiana; one daughter, Rosemary Watson Randolph and her husband, Michael of Belton; grandchildren, Melyni Randolph Revia and her husband, Mike of Beaumont, Megann Randoph of Belton, Matt Watson and his wife, Brandie of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Ammie Elizabeth Watson of Ruston, Louisiana; great-grandchildren, Michaelyn Revia and Isaac Revia of Beaumont, and soon-to-be-born Matthew Augden Watson, Jr. of Lake Charles, Louisiana; sisters-in-law, Doylene Watson of Pt. Neches, and Earldean Watson of Lorena; sisters, Martha Day of Beaumont, Mary Walker and Cora Nell Murphy of Vidor; nieces and nephews, Nancy and Col. Alton Deviney USAF retired of Eddy, Bob Miracle and Jane of Eddy, Billey Dean Brem and Ed and Sandra Rogers and Grover, all of Lorena, Paul Watson and Melissa of Port Neches, Michael Watson of Houston, Pat Murphy and Sandy of Houston, Pamela Pauley of McKinney, Terry Walker, Tim Walker and Karen, Sam Walker and Rama, all of Vidor, Jefferey Day and Jerry Day of Beaumont, Diana Hanna and Jim of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Donna Hargraves of Beaumont, Tommy Surles of Tyler, Patty Ray of Nashville, Tennessee; twenty great-nieces and nephews and many loving friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, Burnie M. Watson, Sr. and Ammie Norwood Watson; sisters, Josephine Watson Miracle and Margaret Watson Roming, both of Eddy; and brothers, A. Jack Watson of Port Neches and Billy Watson of Waco.
Burnie was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son and friend. Through his life he served with the 99th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II, was a member of the Masonic Lodge 1165 and the Beaumont Gideon Camp, a deacon of the Friendship Baptist Church of Beaumont, Texas and a volunteer hospital chaplain. He owned and operated Watson Butane and Amelia Feed.
Those that knew and loved him affectionately called Burnie “the Candy Man” because he was never without peppermints or a Gideon Testament to present to anyone who would accept his gift.
A celebration of Burnie’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 31, at Friendship Baptist Church on Highway 105 under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 N. Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening, August 30, at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gideon Bible Fund or Friendship Baptist Church.
The family wants to especially thank Hospice of Texas for lovingly caring for Burnie during his last days.
