A Service of Celebration for the Life of Dr. Melvin Hampton Watson Sr. '30, May 14, 1908 - June 19, 2006, The Twenty-Fourth Day of June, Two Thousand Six, One O'clock in the Afternoon, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia

A Service of Celebration
for the Life of
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May 14, 1908- June 19, 2006
The Twenty-Fourth Day of June, Two Thousand Six One O'clock in the Afternoon
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia

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In quietness and confidence shall be thy strength ...
Quiet, dignified and resolute are words that best describe the character of The Reverend Dr. Melvin Hampton Watson '30 who departed this life on June 19, 2006. A religious leader, educator, and esteemed Morehouse alumnus, Melvin was born to Peter 0. and Lulia Watson in Atlanta, Georgia on May 14, 1908. The only surviving child of this union, the young boy suffered the loss of his mother at an early age. Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church was the center of Dr. Watson's early life. His father, Ebenezer's longtime church clerk and superintendent of the Sunday School, instilled in his son the importance of faith and an appreciation of the church as the cornerstone of the black community. At Ebenezer, the future theologian was exposed to the era's most powerful black preachers, including Reverend A. D. Williams, Reverend C. T Walker, Reverend L. K. Williams, Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson '11, and many others.

Dr. Watson entered Morehouse College in 1926 already dedicated to pursuing a life in ministry. He studied religion and theology under the tutelage of the great theologian Howard Thurman '23 who would become his dearest friend and mentor. Dr. Watson was deeply influenced by the leadership of President John Hope, as well as Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays. In a 1991
interview, Dr. Watson, referring to his mentors, reflected on this great legacy, "A Thurman, a Hope, a Mays, in their teaching and
preaching, lifted up the ideal that the college man had to be a contributing man to his community and morally accountable."

Upon graduating from Morehouse in 1930, Dr. Watson enrolled at Oberlin College, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity in 1932, and a Master of Arts and a Master of Sacred Theology degrees from Oberlin Graduate School of Theology in 1934. He later received his Doctorate in Theology from the Pacific School of Religion at Berkeley, California in 1948. The young scholar began a 24-year teaching career serving historically black colleges and universities in 1934, when he joined Shaw U niversity as a professor and dean of men. He also was a professor and dean of men at Dillard University from 1938 to 1944, and a professor and acting Dean of the chapel at Howard University from 1944 to 1946. While at Howard U niversity, Dr. Watson met Agnes Regina Robinson of Washington, D.C. whom he would later marry. Their union lasted fifty-three years until her death in 2003. Two children were born to this union, Melvin Hampton Jr. '72 (deceased), and Sharon Michelle, Spelman '76.

Dr. Watson returned to Morehouse in 1946 as a professor and director of the School of Religion, a position he held for more

than 30 years. In 1958, he helped found the Interdenominational Theological Center, serving as professor of theology for ten

years. Drawing upon the examples of his teachers at Morehouse, Watson embraced a "hands-on" teaching style that "pointed

the way" for countless students who went on to lives of service in the church and the academy. His wider service to the Atlanta

community was through his ministry as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church from 1958-1990. Under his leadership, Liberty

.

became affiliated with the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the New Era State Convention of Georgia. He initiated

new ministries and organizations that are still vibrant features of the church's life. His most remarl<able contributions were

to the human heart, in his words, "the recognition that the human being mattered." This special attention to the human spirit

formed the core of Dr. Watson's teaching and ministry. During the turbulent years of the civil rights movement, Dr. Watson was

in close association with many religious and political leaders, locally and nationally. A proponent of non-violent social change,

he was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., '48. In 1954, he delivered the seventy-eighth anniversary sermon at Dexter

Avenue Baptist Church, where King pastored. Dr. Watson's commitment to social justice informed his scholarship and activism,

but his simple faith and devotion to God was the basis of his deep insight into the human heart. He often quoted Alfred North

Whitehead, "Religion is what man does with his solitariness."

Dr. Watson served his alma mater with dedication and distinction. In 1979, he was named Professor Emeritus of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. He remained an active member of the Morehouse School of Religion's board of directors well into
his retirement. In 1998, in recognition of Dr. Watson's lifetime of service to Morehouse, the College awarded him an honorary
doctorate of Divinity and the distinguished Alumni Award. His religious and civic work included service to the Progressive National Baptist Convention and President of the New Era Missionary Baptist Convention from 1978-1983. For many years, he was on the executive board of the Urban Training Organization of Atlanta. Dr. Watson also held interim pastorates in Oberlin, Ohio, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Affectionately called "Monk" by his family and friends, Dr. Watson was fond of reading and traveling. His greatest love and pride was in his family, especially his three grandsons. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Sharon Michelle Watson Flu1er, VicePresident of the Fund for Theological Education; son-in-law, Dr. Walter Earl Flu1er, Executive Director of the Leadership Center, Coca-Cola Professor of Leadership Studies and Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Morehouse College; three grandsons, Melvin Hampton (Tres) Watson III, second year MBA student, Harvard Business School; Clinton Rahman Flu1er'08, Philosophy major at Morehouse College; and Hampton Sterling Fluker, sophomore, The Westminster Schools. He leaves cousins, a host of friends and loved ones to remember and rejoice in his legacy.

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The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr. '56 Pastor, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church
Cleveland, Ohio
Officiating

PRELUDE

"Abide With Me" "I Call to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ"
"Praeludium in A Minor" "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

PLACING OF THE PALL

PROCESSIONAL

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty"

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, which wert, and art, and ever-more shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

A PERIOD OF SILENT REFLECTION

Dear God and Friend of humankind, Forgive our foolish ways
Reclothe us in our rightful mind; In purer lives thy service find, In deeper reverence praise.

Drop thy still dew of quietness Till our striving cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress, And let our ordered lives confess The beauty of thy peace.
J. Whittier (altd.)

William H. Monk J.S. Bach J.S. Bach
Ralph Simpson
John B. Dykes

*THE LORD'S PRAYER (In U nison) Our Father Which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen

REMEMBERING "PAPPY"

Grandsons: Mr. Melvin Hampton (Tres) Watson III
Mr. Clinton Rahman Fluker '08 Mr. Hampton Sterling Fluker

TRIBUTES

Mr. Henry Goodgame '84 Director of Alumni Affairs, Morehouse College
on behalf of Dr. Walter Eugene Massey '58 President, Morehouse College

Dr. Anibal Bueno Professor of Philosophy, Morehouse College

The Reverend Dr. Anthony Motley President, New Era Missionary State Convention
Pastor, Lindsay Baptist Church
The Reverend Dr. T Dewitt Smith Jr. 1st Vice-president, The Progressive National Baptist Convention
Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church of Metro Atlanta

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Reverend Dr. Cameron M. Alexander '59 Former Vice-President, National Baptist Convention President Emertitus General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia
Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church
The Reverend Dr. William T Perkins Dean, Morehouse School of Religion Interdenominational Theological Center
The Reverend Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. Dean, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel

*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN

"Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound"

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound-That saved a Wletch like me! I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He JVill my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we'd first begun.

John Newton

READINGS FROM THE SCRIPTURES Old Testament- Psalm 139:1-18 NIV New Testament- Hebrews 11:5-6; 12:1-2 NIV

The Reverend Dr. William Vincent Guy '56 Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church
The Reverend Dr. Michael Neely Harris '68 Pastor, Wheat Street Baptist Church

WORDS OF COMFORT

The Reverend Dr. Albert Paul Brinson '61 Associate General Secretary (Retired) American Baptist Churches, USA
The Reverend Dr. J. Sherman Pelt
Pastor, Liberty Baptist Church
The Reverend James Ervin Potts '75 Pastor, Mt. Prospect Baptist Church

PRAYER

The Reverend Dr. Joseph Lawrence Roberts Jr. '85 (Hon.) Pastor Emeritus, Ebenezer Baptist Church

SOLO EULOGY SPIRITUAL *BLESSING

"It Is Well With My Soul"

arr. Phillip D. Bliss

But Gad will redeem my soul/rom the power a/death, /or He wi/J receive me -Psalm 49:15

Soloist, Ms. Kathleen Jackson Bertrand, '73 Spelman

The Reverend Dr. Calvin Otis Butts '71 Pastor, Abyssinian Baptist Church
President, State University of New York at Old Westbury

"If I Can Help Somebody" Soloist, Bryan Keith Major '06

arr. Robert Tanner

Dr. Moss

*Those who are able, please stand If you do not save or mail this program, please recycle.

The Growing Edge
LOOK WELL TO THE GROWING EDGE. All around us worlds are dying and new worlds are being born; all around us life is dying and life is being born. The fruit ripens on the tree, the roots are silently at work in the darkness of the earth against a time when there shall be new leaves, fresh blossoms, green fruit. Such is the growing edge! It is the extra breath from the exhausted lung, the one more thing to try when all else has failed, the upward reach of life when weariness closes in upon all endeavor. This is the basis of hope in moments of despair, the incentive to carry on when times are out off joint and men have lost their reason, the source of confidence when worlds crash and dreams whiten into ash. The birth of the child- life's most dramatic answer to death- this is the growing edge incarnate.
Look well to the growing edge!
Howard Washington Thurman '2 3

PALLBEARERS AND HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Deacons of Liberty Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia
General James R. Hall '57 (Retired)
FLOWER LADIES
Deaconesses of Liberty Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia
USHERS
Liberty Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia
MUSICIANS
Ms. Kathleen Jackson Bertrand '73 Spelman, Soloist Mr. Bryan Keith Majors, Soloist
Dr. David Francis Oliver, Organist
Interment Service will be held at Lincoln Cemetery, 2275 Simpson Road, N.W, Atlanta
Committal The Reverend Mr. James Erving Potts '75
Benediction The Reverend Dr. Albert Paul Brinson '61
There will be a reception immediately following the Interment Services at The Friendship Baptist Church, 43 7 Mitchell Street, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 404-688-0206.
The family of Dr. Melvin Hampton Watson acknowledges with sincere gratitude all expressions of sympathy and the many acts of kindness shown during his illness and passing. We extend special thanks to Morehouse College, Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. for use of the Chapel; Dr. J. Sherman Pelt and the members of Liberty Baptist Church; Dr. William Vincent Guy for extending his hospitality for the reception following the interment; and to the staff of the Leadership Center at Morehouse College for their support. We extend a speci.al thanks to Dr. Kai Issa-Jackson for her assistance in developing the biographical profile. We are especially grateful for donations that have been made to the Agnes Regina Watson Scholarship Fund at the Morehouse School of Religion. The family asks that all future
donations be sent to the Morehouse School of Religion, ITC, c/o Dr. William T. Perkins, 700 Martin Luther King Jr.
Drive, Nw, Atlanta, Georgia 30314.