The Rev. Earnest C. Watson

The Rev. Earnest C. Watson, age 78, was pronounced dead at 12:28 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Girard Medical Center, Girard, Kan., following a sudden illness. The Rev. Watson was born May 17, 1935, in Galena, Kan. His parents were Earnest Howard and Elnora G. (Hussong) Watson. He graduated from Galena High School in 1953 where he excelled in school sports, especially football. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country four years in the 1950s. He later became employed at Eagle Picher Company, Joplin, Mo. In 1965, he surrendered to the ministry. His first pastorate was at Harmony Baptist Church, Pittsburg, Kan. He then pastored Mount Olive Baptist Church, Girard, Kan., until he became an inter-state missionary for the Baptist Missionary Association of America in 1970. As a missionary, he organized and established the Highland Park Baptist Church, Independence, Kan., where he continued to pastor there until 1985. He then became the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Bentonville, Ark., a position he held for 21 years. He was currently the pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Girard, Kan. Pastor Watson's favorite pastime was fishing when he wasn't busy being a fisher of men. Earnest was married to Barbara Sue Mooney on Dec, 19, 1956, in Galena, Kan. She survives. Additional survivors include two sons, David (and Melody) Watson, Independence, Kan., and Stephen Watson, Girard, Kan.; his mother, Elnora Watson, Girard, Kan.; three grandchildren, Harmony, Derek and Jordan; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers-in-law, Paul (Mary) Mooney and Jim (Marilyn) Mooney. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, at First Baptist Church, Galena, Kan. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept, 6, 2013, at First Baptist Church, Galena, Kan. Pastors Aaron Pollock and Paul Mooney will officiate. Burial will be at Hill Crest Cemetery, Galena, Kan., under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, Kan.