ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 151
BY REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Bessie Mae
Watson King.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Louisiana House of
Representatives has learned of the death of Bessie Mae Watson King; and
WHEREAS, Bessie Mae Watson King, affectionately known as Dear, was born on
May 12, 1934, in Mer Rouge to Evangelist and Niccie Watson; she departed this life on
Monday, May 2, 2016; and
WHEREAS, she accepted Christ at an early age; she began her work at First
Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a faithful and dedicated member until she moved
to Monroe; she was active with the music department, Sunday school, and other church
auxiliaries; and
WHEREAS, she received her education in the Morehouse School District; in 1954,
she became a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained for more
than sixty years and served as a choir member and deaconess; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. King was a very talented musician; she was the musician for
various church choirs including St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Peter Rock Baptist
Church, Friendship Baptist Church, Mary Gross Baptist Church, Spring Hill Baptist Church,
St. Luke Baptist Church, and Mount Sinai Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, she was well-known locally and nationally for her exceptional musical
talents; she brought many nationally known gospel artists to northeast Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, she was also a member of the Northeast Louisiana Chapter of the
Gospel Music Workshop of America; and
WHEREAS, in 1973, she married the love of her life, Robert L. King; and
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WHEREAS, in her leisure time, Mrs. King enjoyed fishing and shopping, and she
especially liked shoes; and
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Isiah, Elie, and
Moses; and her husband; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. King is survived by her daughter, Ruth L. Watson-Grant; her son,
DeBore C. Watson; her siblings, Selma M. Washington, Norwood Watson, Dr. Evangeline
Brown, Lee Otis Watson, and Roy L. Watson; her grandchildren, DeBore C. Watson, Jr.,
Kayla K. Watson, Kenithra Knowles, Jacques J. Watson, Jared Watson, Jairus Watson, and
Jai Robert Watson; her great-grandchildren, Deja Watson, Curtis Watson, Kiara Watson,
Keona Forney, Kyla Forney, and Kai Forney; her godchildren, the Brown children, Reverend
John and Candice Russell, II, Sonia Gibson Amos, George Payne, and Reverend Gilbert
Wilson; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; and
WHEREAS, the death of Bessie Mae Watson King has left a tremendous void in her
community and has created a genuine sense of sorrow in the many citizens whose lives she
touched.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
death of Bessie Mae Watson King; does hereby record for posterity her manifold
contributions; and does hereby pay tribute to her for the generous and effective way in which
she dedicated her intelligence and her energy to the service of her family and friends, her
community, and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Bessie Mae Watson King.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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