Melvin H. Watson

News Obituary Article

Melvin H. Watson, 98, trained civil rights leaders

By DERRICK HENRY

The Rev. Dr. Melvin H. Watson gave his students and parishioners the power to envision a bigger world, the freedom to think for themselves and the courage to act on their convictions. Many of his students --- among them the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. --- became civil rights leaders.

As senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in southeast Atlanta and a religion professor at Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Religion and the Interdenominational Theological Center, Rev. Dr. Watson exerted his quiet influence over half a century.

Former students include the Rev. Dr. Robert Michael Franklin Jr., presidential distinguished professor at Emory University's Candler School of Theology; the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr., pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, and the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, pastor of the Abyssian Baptist Church in New York City.

"He was one of the great teachers of his generation, and his teaching skills and mentoring capacity was as comprehensive outside the classroom as in the classroom," said the Rev. Moss, of Cleveland, who studied with the Rev. Dr. Watson at both Morehouse College and ITC. ."

When Rev. King was studying at Boston University and pastoring at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., he turned to his former teacher for advice, said Dr. Walter Earl Fluker of Atlanta, executive director of the Leadership Center at Morehouse College and the Rev. Dr. Watson's son-in-law.

In a series of letters between the two men now housed at Boston University, "Watson critiqued King's views of socialism and philosophy and advised him on books he needed to read,' Dr. Fluker said.

"In one letter, King is bragging about his new programs at Dexter and Watson writes back --- I paraphrase --- 'the abundance of activity is a smokescreen for effective ministry.' He counselled King to slow down and take care of his people."

That philosophy was a hallmark of the Rev. Dr. Watson's years at Liberty Baptist (1958-1990), said his daughter, Dr. Sharon Michelle Watson Fluker of Atlanta. "His sermons were thoughtful, reflective and solidly biblically based. He called for the listener to be an active thinker. He asked how the Word could be part of your life and your service to others."

Melvin Hampton Watson, 98, of Atlanta, died Monday of complications from surgery at Crawford Long Hospital. The funeral is 1 p.m. today at Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College. Sellers Bros. is in charge of arrangements.

The Atlanta native practically grew up in Ebenezer Baptist Church, where his father Peter O. Watson was the church clerk and Sunday school superintendent. Inspired by the powerful preachers that Ebenezer attracted, the youngster decided to pursue a theological career of his own. As a student at Morehouse College, he came under the influence of professor Howard Thurman, a forward-looking theologian who espoused racial and religious equality and nonviolent social change.

Dr. Thurman encouraged him to pursue advanced degrees. The Rev. Dr. Watson received a master of sacred theology from Oberlin Graduate School of Theology in 1934 and a doctorate of theology from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., in 1948. He began teaching at Morehouse in 1946.

"He was one of the last of a dying generation of black public theologians who held together the best of tradition with an openness to innovation," said the Rev. Dr. Franklin, of Atlanta, who studied with him at Morehouse College and later turned to him for counsel when he was president of ITC.

"He was quietly inspiring, soft-spoken and contemplative, very patient with our fuzzy thinking. He could defuse tense situations. He knew that a soft answer can turn away anger."

"Dr. Watson taught in such a way that you were engaged by him and his courses were in synch with the things we saw in the times we were living," said the Rev. Dr. Butts, a civil rights activist who studied with him at Morehouse College and attributes his teaching to pushing him toward the ministry.

"He was preparing us to go out and disturb the conscience and rebel against injustice."

Survivors also include three grandsons.

© 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution