Elizabeth Joyce Watson

Elizabeth “Joyce” Watson, age 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Sunday, April 27, 2025 at her home in Dalton, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeff Harrison Daniel, Ruby Leigh Daniel; and her sister Donna Jean Daniel Smith.

She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Harold Ray Watson; her three sons and their wives Jim Watson (Vicki), Dan Watson (Susan), and Mark Watson (Tammy); 17 grandchildren Thomas (Kendra) Watson, Scott (Amanda) Watson, Andrew (Heather) Watson, Kimberly Watson, Matthew (Rebecca) Watson, Amber Grace Gray, Karla (Jeff) Mika, Stephen (Lily) Watson, Karen (Patrick) Graham, Kelly (Daniel) Hoffman, Kyle (Gabrielle) Watson, Kaleb (Rodine) Watson, Kelsey (Steven) Dillon, Kurt Watson, Katherine (Jacob) Evans, Kevin Watson and Kasey (Eli) Waddell; 25 great grandchildren; and her siblings Billy Wayne Daniel, Dale E. Daniel, Boyd Wayne Daniel, David Harrison Daniel and Julia Daniel Goodall.

Born January 6, 1934 in Irving, Texas, as a teenager she devotedly helped her father after the death of her mother in childbirth. Extremely organized, intelligent and efficient, “Valedictorian” appeared on several school records including East Texas Baptist College. Joyce consistently read and memorized God’s word her entire life and early on, sensed the Lord calling her to full time service, possibly missions. The call solidified after she and future husband, Harold Ray Watson, began an overseas “correspondence courtship” prayerfully sensing the Lord’s will for their lives. Their casual friendship matured into love through letters and an engagement ring arrived in the mail from Okinawa one year later.

Following their marriage, August 25, 1956, and the birth of three sons, they left in 1964 for the Philippines as Southern Baptist Career Missionaries with the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) faithfully serving for 35 years. Together, they founded the Rural Life Center (RLC), Asian Rural Life Development Foundation and other rural life projects across Asia. The RLC agricultural training center/demonstration farm was established for the holistic betterment of the Philippine population. Joyce, not only served as business manager with its 100 plus employees but also wrote her own computer payroll programs in the 1980s. As the RLC flourished, Joyce meticulously and confidently worked behind the scenes supporting her husband’s world-renowned agricultural endeavors. She was the consummate hostess and cook graciously welcoming thousands of yearly visitors (from farmers to dignitaries) often feeding them abundantly without notice.

Beyond the RLC, they started Kinuskusan Baptist Church leading to the establishment of more than 50 plus churches across Mindanao. She worked tirelessly with the Women’s Missionary Union throughout the Philippines volunteering as director and lecturer. Joyce and Harold were ardent education supporters and financially assisted countless students with their schooling expenses paving once unforeseen ways into bright futures.

Upon retirement in 1999, Joyce and Harold moved to Terry, Mississippi, joining Wynndale Baptist Church where she faithfully served as WMU Director, Hostess Committee member and helped start a trailer park ministry near the church. In Mississippi, blessed to be near family they heartily embraced this opportunity with large family reunions after so many years of separation. In 2023, The Watsons at age 89, moved to Dan and Susan’s farm in Dalton, Arkansas and joined First Baptist Church, Myrtle, Missouri, where she actively participated in ministry opportunities desiring, as always, to wholeheartedly serve the Lord bringing honor and glory to Him.

Visitation will be at Wynndale Baptist Church in Terry, Mississippi on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 10-11 am. Funeral services will follow at 11 am with Jerry Smith, Jeff Palmer and Stephen Watson officiating. Graveside services are at 4:30 pm at Providence Baptist Church, Eatonville, Mississippi with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Joyce joyously lived a life of extraordinary Christian service and requested that at her death, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,

International Mission Board SBC:

Attn: Ministry Advancement,

3806 Monument Avenue,

Richmond, VA 23230-3932

https://www.imb.org/generosity/give-now/?designation=lottie+moon+christmas+offering%C2%AE#imb-give-form

Upon retirement, Joyce quoted Psalm 139: 9-10(NIV)

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”