Drought is driving "the biggest disaster to winter wheat in Halifax County in 30 years," with losses spiraling.
Too many wheat fields are a sad mixture of scattered green and blank sod.
"I think it is pretty much gone," said Erline Hudson as she looked over the field her husband, David, planted in the fall.
"There is a little bit, but not much. It's just been so dry it wouldn't come up," she added, gazing at the diminished fields.
The Hudsons are not alone.
With approximately 12,000 acres of wheat seeded in the county - at an average of 40 bushels per acre at about $3.15 per bushel - up to $1.56 million in potential profit is at risk.
"And a lot is going to be lost because a great deal of the wheat didn't germinate and hasn't gotten enough rain to sustain it if it did germinate," said county extension agent Larry McPeters. "There's been no tillering, no branching out."
Below normal temperatures for late November through December resulted in frozen ground, also inhibiting growth, explained McPeters.
For many county farmers the bottom line is no income from the late June to July wheat harvest, income that came in handy before the tobacco market.
The Hudsons, who have a tobacco and beef operation off of Highway 58 east of South Boston, usually sell their wheat harvest to Sunshine or Keystone Mills.
"And we sell straw to people for their yards and to landscapers," said Erline Hudson.
What To Do Now
If farmers know that their winter wheat yield is going to be greatly reduced, they need to take action.
"Weeds will become a problem because there is no competition in the field," explained the extension agent. "You have to do something about those weeds, the junk stuff.
"Consider thickening up the wheat," began McPeters. "Go back with a drill and sow spring oats, something you can cut for hay ...and you probably should cut wheat for hay."
If farmers bale hay they can sell it, if they don't have cattle. But McPeters said they "must cut early and it must be good quality hay."

By Doug Loftis
The Executive Director of the Southside Community Services Board, Dr. Jules Modlinski, says that the closing of Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Danville would have "absolutely no impact" on this service area, which includes the counties of Halifax, Mecklenburg and Brunswick.
The closing of the Danville facility is part of Gov. Jim Gilmore's plan to restructure the commonwealth's mental health system that calls also for closing several other state-operated hospitals. Under the plan, SVMHI would close by 2002 and is reported to currently house approximately 70 patients. Those patients would either be discharged or moved to the Catawba Hospital near Salem.
The Senate Finance Committee began debate on the fate of SVMHI on Monday amidst the outcry of a number of opponents to the closing, not the least of which has been the Danville community.
Echoing similar sentiments have been Del. W.W. "Ted"Bennett, D-60th and Rep. Virgil Goode, I-5th.
Bennett said that he was opposed to the closing of the Danville facility that has the lowest operating costs of all state-operated mental health facilities. The loss of 165 jobs in the Danville area would have "tremendous economic ripple effect," said Bennett yesterday who said that he had sat in briefly on that hearing in Richmond.
Goode told a gathering in Danville on Monday that he did not want to see Southern Virginia closed. "I think there are persons who are best treated in a facility instead of in a community setting," said Goode.
Modlinski said that he was not surprised that the Danville community would be opposed to the closing of the hospital for economic reasons, but to continue its operation was "a waste of taxpayer dollars."
During the past six months, Modlinski said that the SCSB had sent only one person to Danville for treatment.
Bennett said that he was not aware that so few patients had been sent to Danville from the SCSB.
Treatment of persons in need, Modlinski insists, is best done "as close to home as possible."
In calling for a stronger community service mental health program as the alternative to institutionalization, Modlinski suggested that crisis centers be established where temporary treatment and supervision of persons could take place.
Persons in need of more intensive or acute treatment would continue to be sent to private hospitals, including the Pavilion in South Hill and Popular Springs in Petersburg. The state has approved and provides funding for both facilities for treatment of mental health patients, according to Modlinski.
Del. Bennett was asked if he believed treatment of mental health patients could best be provided by private institutions at, perhaps, lower costs. "The potential exists for costs to escalate," said Bennett, when state-operated facilities no longer exist to provide care alternatives.
Bennett said that he was also "suspicious" that the governor's budget "so happened" to call for a $7 million parking deck to be built in Richmond. "Whether or not there's any connection, I don't know!"
Modlinski believes that the SCSB should take a more "proactive" role towards providing mental health services in the community by "going into homes of individuals rather than sitting in an office."
"I feel that the day of state-provided acute care in hospitals is gone," said Modlinski who has served as the executive director for SCSB since 1983. SCSB has a staff of over 150 persons and an annual budget exceeding $5 million.
An eight-member board of directors represents the governing bodies in operation of community mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse programs in the service area. "Our board would not be opposed (to closing SVMHI)," Modlinski added.

Gilberto Colin, 20, could hardly speak a sentence in English when he entered the Continuing Education Center's second language program in November.
Tutor Shirla Hudson, a former teacher, had always been interested in Spanish.
CEC officials thought the Mexican connection was meant to be.
"He could read and comprehend English, but he could not speak it, could not pronounce the words," explained Boo Evans, coordinator of the volunteer literacy program and organizer of the program to teach English as a second language.
Nevertheless, Colin was already a working man, first in tobacco, then at a saw mill and currently at Old Dominion Wood Works.
"He does very well at understanding instructions," said Clara Rogers of Colin's ability in his new trade of cabinet making.
In November, Hudson and Colin began meeting once a week for two-hour classes.
"I had no idea I would get a young fellow," recalled Hudson, a retired elementary school teacher who was herself in a new teaching situation. "I was apprehensive.
"But I felt fine as soon as I met him. He has the nicest smile and he is very polite," said Hudson.
Colin, a high school graduate in his native land, studied English about three years as a teenager in Michoacan, Mexico, but it was primarily reading, not conversation.
But he is doing well.
During class, the two work on practical information, "how to bank, how to read a check, clothes labels, how to use a recipe, life skills," she added.
"He has an ear for English, a sense of language," added Hudson. "He tries very hard."
"Colin is very bright and anxious to learn," observed Evans.
"We do have tutors trained for people who have English as a second language," said Boo Evans. "We want people to know that there is help available."
The ESL program offers local residents the opportunity to learn about other cultures and at the same time help an individual speak and read the English language.
A workshop provides training and certification for teachers.
"I am enjoying it," said Hudson. "I was terrified the first day. I took an Atlas and asked Gilberto to show me where he lived. He immediately did and I thought, he is just another student. This is going to be okay."
For additional information about the program, contact Evans at 575-0292.

By GRAYSON POWELL
This is one in a series of articles focusing on the history of Halifax County since its formation in May 1752. Next year, the county will observe its 250th anniversary.
It has been 220 years since the start of the historic Race to the Dan, a hazardous and heroic maneuver that turned the tables on British strategy during the final year of the Revolutionary War and tipped the scales decisively in favor of the American cause.
On January 17, 1781, at the Cowpens in South Carolina, Americans under Gen. Daniel Morgan soundly defeated 1000 British shock troops led by Banastre Tarleton, the brash cavalry officer in Gen. Charles Cornwallis's command. It was a signal American victory that stunned the British but soon forced them into a series of long marches and wintry river crossings in an effort to catch up with and re-engage the American patriots as they withdrew into North Carolina.
Gen. Nathanael Greene of Rhode Island was the overall commander of American units facing Cornwallis in 1781. Taking charge of Morgan's retreating forces (and 600-plus British prisoners captured at the Cowpens), Greene gradually recombined all his fighting units and considered a battle against the British at Guilford Court House (now part of Greensboro). That was on February 9, 1781, but in a council of war with his top officers, a decision was reached to dash into southern Virginia and cross the Dan River rather than wage a battle with the odds still heavily in Cornwallis's favor. The hopes of the American cause rested on Greene's shoulders and on those of his valiant men.
The result was February 10 - 14, 1781, an all-out race to reach two river crossings at Irvine's and Boyd's Ferries in Halifax County, Virginia, newly formed in 1752 and just short of 29 years in existence!
Greene's forces accomplished a small miracle, racing 70 miles in adverse conditions while completely hoodwinking the British into following wrong leads and mistaking the true intentions of the Americans. The crossing was completed on the night of February 14 when cavalry officer "Lighthorse Harry" Lee joined Col. Edward Carrington in the last boatload of soldiers who were ferried over the Dan. This crossing was at Boyd's Ferry, just west of the present-day highway bridge (Rt. 501) between South Boston and Riverdale. Earlier, Gen. Greene and many of his officers, men, and supplies had crossed four miles further west at Irvine's Ferry.
Nothing remains today of these 18th-century crossing points, as time and floodwaters have altered the riverside landscape and as changes have occurred in methods of spanning rivers. Yet the historical significance of Greene's Crossing of the Dan cannot be overstated. It concluded an exhausting march across North Carolina over boggy roads and difficult river crossings for one overriding purpose: to draw Cornwallis and his crack British troops further from their base of supplies in South Carolina while tantalizing them with the prospect of overtaking and defeating the patriot army.
The successful Crossing of the Dan, some 220 years ago, pointed the way for a resurgence in patriot strength as Southside Virginia answered the call to arms and rallied to the defense of their state. It allowed time for the pursued Americans to become the pursuers as the exhausted British were forced to turn back into North Carolina for resupply and regrouping. And in the fullness of time, 1781 style, it paved the way for the ultimate patriot masterplot, Yorktown, when Gen. Washington trapped Lord Cornwallis and forced his surrender on October 19. There is a direct link between the Crossing of the Dan and the final victory at Yorktow.

South Boston Speedway announced yesterday the most extensive schedule in the track's 44-year history, a schedule that features 20 events and 15 hours of television coverage.
The national touring NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series, the Textilease Medique NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars and five other divisions will open South Boston Speedway's season with a two-day show on Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11.
Action on Saturday, March 10 will include practice and qualifying for the Modified and Late Model Stock Cars as well as races for the Limited Sportsman Division, Super Stock Division, the Pure Stock 4's, the "Rolling Thunder" Modifieds and the Southern Vintage Modifieds.
Sunday's action will include a 200 lap race for the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series and the HomeMax 100, a 100 lap event, for the Late Model Stock Cars.
The Late Model Stock Car race will pay $5,000 to win and will award double points toward the 2001 South Boston Speedway NASCAR Weekly Racing Series title.
Both of Sunday's races will be televised on Home Team Sports and Fox Sports Net South on a tape delayed basis.
The March 11 NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series race will be the first of seven national touring series events that South Boston Speedway will stage this season.
Eleven NASCAR Weekly Racing Series events and two amateur Enduros are also included for the 2001 season.
Twelve of South Boston Speedway's racing events will be televised this season, two of them live, one by ESPN and the other by TNN.
Speedvision, Home Team Sports and Fox Sports Net South will televise the other events on a tape-delay basis.
Four of the season's NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock car Division races will be televised.
South Boston Speedway's second national touring series race will be the Saturday night, April 7 running of the Textilease Medique 300, a 300-lap race for the national touring ASA ACDelco Series.
Held on the same weekend as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, the action April 7 will include a 100-lap race for the Textilease Medique Late Model Stock Cars.
Textilease Medique, in addition to sponsoring the ASA ACDelco Series race, will be the sponsor for the Late Model Stock Car Division at South Boston Speedway this season.
The Late Model Stock Car race will be run first with the ASA ACDelco series race set for a 9 p.m. start.
Track officials note that TNN will televise the ASA ACDelco Series race live and that the Late Model Stock car race will be covered on a tape delay basis and shown on Home Team Sports and Fox Sports Net South.
South Boston Speedway will stage its "NASCAR Tripleheader" on Tuesday night, July 3 featuring two of NASCAR's national touring series.
The action will include a 100-lap race for the Late Model Stock Cars, a 125-lap race for the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series and a 125-lap race for the NASCAR All Pro Series.
All three events will be televised on a tape delay basis on Home Team Sports and Fox Sports Net South.
The national touring USAR Hooters ProCup stock car series will be featured at South Boston Speedway on Saturday night, August 18 along with a 100-lap Late Model Stock Car Division race.
Speedvision will provide tape delay coverage of the Hooters ProCup Series race.
A big weekend of truck racing has been set for September 28-29.
The national touring NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will make its first appearance at South Boston Speedway with a 250 lap race on Friday night, September 28 which will be televised live by ESPN.
Side-by-side Monster Truck racing will be featured at the speedway the following night on Saturday, September 29.
On Saturday night, October 13, the night before the fall NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, South Boston Speedway will stage the USAC 200 featuring the open wheel cars of USAC's MCI WorldCom Midget Series and the Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series.
Both events will be televised on a tape delay basis on Home Team Sports and Fox Sports Net South.
South Boston Speedway will conclude its season with a two-day event on November 10-11 with the South Boston 300.
The South Boston 300 Late Model Stock Car Division race on Sunday, November 11 will be televised on a tape delay basis on Home Team Sports and Fox Sports Net South.
Action on Saturday, November 10 will include practice, qualifying and heat races for the Late Model Stock Cars and a 50-lap $1,000 to win race for the Pure Stock 4's.
South Boston Speedway's 11 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series events begin Saturday, March 24 and end on Saturday, September 15 with a 150-lap double points race.
The local track will feature the Late Model Stock Cars and Limited Sportsman Division cars in its 11 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series events.
The open wheel "Rolling Thunder" Modifieds, the Super Stock Division, a new Pure Stock 4's division and the Southern Vintage Modifieds will serve as support divisions.
Amateur Enduro events and special Pure Stock 4's division events have been set for Sunday, March 18 and Sunday, October 7.
Season tickets that include all of the track's 2001 season racing events are now on sale.
The cost is $199 for each season ticket.
Season tickets may be ordered by calling the speedway at 804-572-4947 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Advance purchase ticket discounts are available for all of South Boston Speedway's events.
Fans can place credit card phone orders (VISA, MasterCard and Discover Card) by calling the track's Toll Free Ticket Hotline at 1-877-440-1540.

By Joe Chandler
Sterling Williams was "in the zone" when Halifax County faced Albemarle Friday night in Charlottesville.
Williams, in a career best game, knocked down what Halifax County High School officials believe is a school single game individual record seven three-point baskets.
In an amazing late-game flurry, he swished four three-point baskets in the final 39 seconds of the contest to lead a late Halifax County rally that fell three-points shy.
Williams' record-setting performance helped lead the Comets to a second school record.
Thanks largely to Williams' seven three-point baskets, the Comets finished the game with 10 three-pointers, a school record for the most three-point shots in a single game.
"I was feeling good during the pregame warm-ups," the soft-spoken player said with a grin.
"I don't know what it was. There was just something about it that didn't feel the same."
It was one of those magic nights a basketball player dreams of- a night when you have that special feel - a night when you just know that the ball will swish through the nets when you launch it.
Williams knocked down a three-point basket in each of the first three quarters of the game.
The Comets player had five field goals in the fourth quarter and finished the game with four consecutive bombs.
"I felt like I was 'in the zone,'" Williams explained.
"I felt like I was on fire. The guys knew I was on fire. It really wasn't a set play. When the guys gave it to me I just shot it. Albemarle gave me the open look so I took advantage of it and made them pay."
Halifax County High School head coach Garrett Dillard said eventhough his team was down by a big margin late in the game he never gave up hope.
The same was true for Williams, he said.
"I think Sterling took things upon himself," Dillard said.
"It wasn't that we ran any plays for him. It was like there was string between himself and the basket. When he gets "in the zone" he can shoot with the best of them."
As he lit up his team with his shooting Williams says there was never once a thought that he may have been on the verge of breaking or setting a record.
"I never thought about it," Williams stated.
"I really don't think anybody really ever talks about it. You just go out there and play. If it happens, it happens."
Williams big 23-point game rested on his outside shooting as seven of his eight field goals were three-point shots.
And it came as something of a relief for the Comets' junior guard.
"It really felt good," said Williams who now has 17 three-point field goals this season.
"The first couple of games (of the season) I felt like I played pretty well. Then I went into a slump for several games. Nothing seemed to be falling. I got frustrated."
Dillard noted that Williams scored in double figures in his first four games before going into the slump.
"The question came up do we take Sterling out and go with Teddy (Bradley) or somebody else," explained the Comets coach.
"I decided I wanted Sterling in the starting lineup. He's a heady player. He's aware of the court and aware of what is going on on the floor.
"Even when his shots are not falling, he's going to come out and play as hard as he can play," he added.
Williams broke out of the slump with an 11-point night last Tuesday when the Comets faced Franklin County, the eighth-ranked team in the state Group AAA Associated Press Prep Poll.
He scored only two points in last Thursday night's 54-53 win here over Patrick Henry.
Then came his outstanding game Friday night.
"I felt like I was snapping out of it (the slump) in the Franklin County game last Tuesday," explained Williams.
"Then came Friday night. I believe I'm back on track now."
That feeling of confidence is good for Williams who sees his role as being a shooter.
"I can bring the ball up the court," he pointed out.
"My main objective is to shoot the ball. My outside shooting is my strength. I feel like I've always been a three-point threat. Shooting outside is more me than driving to the basket."
Williams, the son of Sterling and Sandra Williams of South Boston, has always been a basketball player.
He played Pee Wee and Midget basketball in the local recreation leagues, played basketball in his eighth grade year at Halifax County Middle School and played on the Halifax County High School jayvee team as a ninth grader.
Williams attended the University of North Carolina Basketball School in June of 1997 which was led by legendary coach Dean Smith and played one summer of AAU basketball.
He played football one year, playing outside linebacker for the Halifax County Middle School football team.
"I liked playing football," he pointed out, "but it wasn't anything like basketball. Basketball is the game I play. I love the game."
The second-year varsity guard says his goal is to be a leader on the floor.
"I believe I've stepped up a lot," Williams said, "but I feel I need to step up more and be more consistent every game.
"My goal," he continued, "is to be the team leader. I might not score in double figures every game but I want to be the leader - help keep the team together and playing together as one unit.
I'm really going to have to step up next year and set an example for the people coming up behind me."
Sometimes being the leader means that you have to get physical - mix it up with bigger, stronger, more physical players.
Despite being 6-0 and 174-pounds, Williams can and will mix it up on the floor.
"He brings a "tough guy" attitude to the floor and I love it," Dillard said.
"When you're around him and talk to him you wouldn't think he's as tough as he is. But, when that ball goes up, don't push him, don't bang him.
"He'll push you back," added Dillard.
"He'll bang on you. He'll dive on the floor after the ball. He'll take a 6-5 guy down on the post. I think he brings a sense of toughness the other guys feed off of."
Williams says he's not afraid to bang around with anyone on the court.
"I love a physical game," he pointed out.
"I don't know what it is. It's something to get out there and bang around with them on the court. It really gets the adrenaline pumping."
While Williams is trying to make his mark as a basketball player, he's also trying to meet high standards in the classroom.
He is an Honor Roll student and has been for some time.
Williams says that while school isn't as much fun as basketball, he realizes the importance of a good education and wants to go on to college.
"My parents stay on me," he said of his schoolwork.
"School is alright if you've got good teachers. I've got some pretty good teachers."
Admitting that schoolwork is not as much fun as playing basketball, Williams said, "sometimes you've got to do things you really don't want to do but that's life."

Virginia Sue Tysinger Downey, age 84, of Buffalo Junction, died January 14 at her home.
Mrs. Downey was born in Halifax County on February 18, 1916, the daughter of Luther Tysinger and Betty Wilkins Tysinger and was married to Thomas Goodwin Downey Sr. She was a member of Aarons Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty D. Leap and her husband, Charles of Richmond; one son, Tommy Downey and his wife, Barbara of Buffalo Junction; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. Downey were held January 16 at 2 p.m. at Aarons Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill McEntire officiating. Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Midway Vol. Fire Dept.

Russell King, age 89, of Long Island, died January 14 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home.
Mr. King was born in Pittsylvania County on January 12, 1912, the son of Edward David King and Rosa Brown King and was married to Callie Bet Seamster King. He was a member of Brookneal Church of God of Prophecy and a retired farmer.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Claude and Linda King of Nathalie and Mac and Betsy King of Gretna; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Rebecca and Willie Clay of Halifax, Earline King of Nathalie, Maggie and Clyde Johnson of Gladys and Gearlean and Ray Brightwell of Richmond; one sister, Florence King of Gretna; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral service for Mr. King will be held at 2 p.m. today, January 17 at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Patrick Collins. Burial will follow in the King Family Cemetery.

Merle Silas Solomon, age 67, of Roxboro, N.C. died January 15 at Durham Regional Hospital.
Mr. Solomon was born in Person County, N.C., the son of Silas Merriman and Helen Ashley Solomon and was married to Jean Horner Solomon. He had been in business since 1951 with Solomon Enterprise; was the owner of Solomon Collectible Cars and a member of Warren's Grove United Methodist Church. He endowed the Merle & Jean Solomon Scholarship Fund in 1994.
Survivors include his wife; four sons, David Merle Solomon, Donald Mark (Donnie) Solomon, Clyde Anthony (Peaches) Solomon and Dwight Madison (Matt) Solomon, all of Roxboro; two brothers, C. Merriman Solomon of Roxboro and Larry A. Solomon of Semora, N.C.; one sister, Kathryn S. Hays of Inverness, Fla. and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Solomon will be held at 11 a.m. today, January 17 at the Brooks & White Chapel in Roxboro with the Revs. Susan Harthon and Buddy Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Person Memorial Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Senior Citizens Center, 121A Depot St., Roxboro, N.C. 27573, or Warren's Grove UMC, 1500 Wesleyan Rd., Roxboro 27573, or a charity of one's choice.

Earl Covington Owen Sr., age 71, of Fort Pierce, Fla., died January 11 at V.A. Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Mr. Owen was born in Halifax County on April 11, 1929, the son of Mason Lagrand Owen and Nannie Covington Owen. He was a member of Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church, was a retired farmer and served in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include one son, Arthur Owen of Fort Pierce; one daughter, Debbie O. Hall of Halifax; three sisters, Page DeJarnette of Martinsville, Velvet DeJarnette of Union Hall and Elizabeth Gosney of Halifax; one brother, Ted Owen of Halifax; one grandson, Trey Owen Satterfield of Charlotte, N.C.; and one granddaughter, Katy Satterfield of South Boston. He was preceded in death by a son, Earl Covington Owen Jr.
A funeral service for Mr. Owen will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel January 18 at 3 p.m. with the Revs. Richard Welch and Ed Griffin officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church Cemetery.The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home this afternoon, January 17, between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Kathryne June Weatherford Reeves, born June 8, 1929, died January 15.
Survivors include her husband, Daniel Edward "Ned" Reeves; her daughter, Dianne Holt Reeves of Richmond; and her sister, Evelyn Weatherford Hastings of Richmond.
A funeral service for Mrs. Reeves will be held January 18 at 11:30 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home with burial to follow at Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, January 17, from 7:00 until 8:30.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, a Division of Halifax Regional Hospital, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.

Deacon Alexander Watson Sr., age 63, of 7217 MacDonald Road, Scottsburg, died January 14 at Stratford Health Center in Danville.
Deacon Watson was born in Charlotte County on September 16, 1937, the son of Parthenia Toombs Watson and John Watson Sr. He was first married to Inez Boyd Watson and later to Estelle Coleman Watson. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Wylliesburg.
Survivors include three daughters, Carolyn Boyd of South Boston, Yvonne Watson of scottsburg and Tawanda Watson of Red Oak; one son, Alexander Watson Jr. of Oxford, N.C.; his mother of Red Oak; four sisters, Mattie Walton of South Boston, Millie McRae of Oxford, Laura Watson of Red Oak and Channie Watson of Skipwith; four brothers, Clem Watson of Red Oak, Dan Watson of Clarksville, John Watson Jr. of Red Oak and Fred Watson of Chase City; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; six step daughters; three step sons; and one daughter-in-law, Vanessa Watson.
Funeral services for Deacon Watson will be held January 18 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Wylliesburg with the Revs. Robert H. Vanhook and Opie Terrell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home, and at the home of Tawanda Watson, 135 Atkins Road, Red Oak.