Joseph MacNeal Watson was born September 9, 1992 to Joe C. and Phyllis H. Watson. Joe and Phyllis were very proud that God had given them a son to love, nurture and cherish. As an infant, he was baptized at Springhill A.M.E. Church under the Reverend Kleckley.

He was given the name “The Bud” by his father and grandfather. Joseph was loved by all, especially his grandmother, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He knew they loved him by that infectious smile he had. With that smile of his, Joseph taught them how to love and understand one another as God meant us to do. Joseph attended Saxe Gotha and Carolina Springs School, and was ultimately home-schooled by his mother.

Joseph, his mother, and others were advocates for getting playground equipment for special needs children at the Virginia Hylton Park in Lexington, South Carolina.

Joe and Phyllis, Joseph’s parents, were by his side through all his illnesses. Joseph had so much love for his father that whenever his dad would enter his hospital room, all the monitors and alarms would go off. Medical personnel would think something was wrong only until they entered his room to find that his dad had come into the room.

Joseph was dearly loved by Shannon, David, Jamie, Jarrod, Zedrick, Daniel, Allen, Sema’J, Demond, Danica, Jaleeya, Malachi, Omari, and Caden. They will remember him by that smile of his and the caring ways they had for each other.

We will miss Joseph, but God had bigger plans for his angel. He left us all with lessons on loving, joy, peace, and how to be of good courage.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Herbie D. Caughman; paternal grandparents, George and Ralphetta Watson; great-grandmother, Jennie Holman; great-grandfather, Johnny Caughman; sister, Shantay Holman; uncles, Olin Watson and Anthony Cancer; aunt, Bettye W. Cancer; and great uncle, Herbie J. Holman.

Precious memories and special moments will be forever cherished by his loving parents, Joe C. and Phyllis H. Watson; his grandmother who spoiled him endlessly, Carrie E. Holman; special mothers, Tekoa Y. Holman and Janice M. Summers; aunts: Annie (Alvin) Caughman, Yvonne (Wallace) Humphrey, Judy Hill, Shelby (David) Clark and Yvonne Watson; uncles: James W. (Betty), Tommy L. (Francis), James and Russell Watson, and Michael Holman; great-grandmother, Cubia Caughman; great aunt, Mineva (Rogers) Cook; great uncles, John L. (Denise) and Terrance R. Caughman; great-great uncles, James Hiller and Freddie (Evelyn) Holman; and great-great aunts: Florence Hiller, Margaret Holman, and Lessie Leaphart. Joseph also leaves his adopted great-grandmother, Marayal Wise; adopted grandparents, Shirley and Sherrill Harris; and adopted aunt and uncle, Louise and Luther Wise.