Obituary of Robert L. Watson, Sr.

Robert Lee Andrew Watson, Sr. also known to some as Lee or Bob, was born November 17, 1921, in Macon, GA to Alex and Bessie (Grier) Watson.  He was the husband of the late Lillian L. Watson.  At an early age the family moved to Detroit, MI where he attended grammar school and later graduated from Cooley High School.  Upon graduation, Bob started his first business as a landscaper. In 1941 in Detroit, Michigan he met the love of his life Lillian L. Miller. They were joined in Holy Matrimony on July 14, 1942 and remained married until her death on September 13, 2016.  From this union 4 children were born, Alfreda, Harriett, Bob Jr. and Duvall L. Watson Sr. In 1942, he began to work at Packard Motor Co., where he started to fight for equal job opportunities because the company would not hire Blacks to operate machinery.  He was instrumental in organizing a strike to correct the inequity.  As a result, the machine shop was opened to Blacks.  After leaving Packard, around 1948, he became a life insurance salesman and operated and owned a shoe shop and dry cleaners, until his employment with Chrysler in Detroit.  Bob worked at the Dodge Main Plant and the Plymouth Plant, where he held the position of Chief Steward which enabled him to become active with the UAW and Fair Practices Committee.

In 1957, Bob volunteered to transfer to the Chrysler Newark Plant, where he was immediately appointed to Chairman of the Fair Practice Committee.  Since the first strike at Packard Motors, Bob demonstrated, picketed and marched many times for equal housing, public accommodations and restaurant services.  He participated in sit-ins and demonstrations at the former Kresges’, former Eagle Restaurant and Woolworth’s.  Bob was the chairman of Local 1183, participated in the March on Washington, marched on Dover for open housing and demonstrated to keep the prison out of Dunleith.  As a firm believer in “quit dragging your feet, pick them up and go forward”.  Bob was always willing and ready to march, demonstrate or picket for a worthy cause.

Whether you wanted it or not, he imparted much wisdom and guidance to his family, friends, co-workers and many others in his neighborhood and was affectionately known as “The Mayor” of Dunleith Estates.

Bob was a longtime member of Coleman Memorial United Methodist Church where he sang in the Male Chorus and cooked the grits when the men served; he served as Chairman of the Fair Practice Committee for Local 1183; State Fair Practice Chairman for the International Union – 18 years; Board member of NAACP; member of CAP; president of the Dunleith Civic Association and President of the Democratic Club of Dunleith.  Also, Watson and four other visionaries started Chryco-Newark Federal Credit Union; now known as the American Spirit Federal Credit Union where he served as chairman of credit committee, was a member of the supervisory committee as well as held the position of President, Vice President, Secretary, Board member.

In 1982, he had to make one of the toughest decisions of his life. To retire. But in spite of retirement, Bob stayed active with Retirees of Local 1183, doing minor home repairs, and attending the health club regularly and up until a year ago he was also preparing taxes for his longtime loyal customers. After the loss of his life partner he continued to live alone, cooking, washing and driving himself around until his recent illness.

He leaves to cherish his memories and pass on his legacy; his loving children Alfreda C. O’Neal (Albert), Robert L. Watson Jr. (Alice), Harriett Watson & Duvall L. Watson Sr., Daughter-in-Law Cheryl D. Watson, Sisters Margaret Watson, Betty Clopton & Hope Bradford.  Sister-in-Laws Louise Campbell, Arnetha Miller & Jean Watson.  He also leaves to cherish 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.