HAZLEHURST — Max Hugh Watson, 89, of Hazlehurst, passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 10, 2012. He was born in Port Gibson on March 17, 1923, to the late Pearson Hobson Watson and the late Clara Eva Watson.

Max married Merle Wynn on Nov. 2, 1949. Together they made their home in the Cary and Onward areas of the Delta for 59 years before moving to Hazlehurst in 2008 in order to be closer to family. Max was a member of Cary Baptist Church.

Max was in the Civilian Conservation Corps until 1944, when he accepted a position at Southern Natural Gas Company in Onward. He retired as a shift engineer in 1984 after serving the company for 40 years.

Max enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the Old Whitaker Hunting Club in Claiborne County. He shared his love of hunting with his friends, children and all five of his grandchildren.

Max was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Helen Shields; two brothers, James and John Watson; and one great-grandchild, Tanner Harrison Lee Page.

He is survived by his wife, Merle Watson; his sister, Elizabeth Price of Baton Rouge; his daughter, Maxine Watson; his son, Robert Watson and wife Julie, all of Hazlehurst; and five grandchildren, Trent E. Hicks and Johnalin Page of Vicksburg and Wynn, Lauren and Andrew Watson of Hazlehurst.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. in the chapel of First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Pallbearers will be Franklin and Trent Hicks, Wynn and Andrew Watson, Joie Miller, Kirby Sills and Ronnie Kerr. Honorary pallbearers will be John Kerr and John Hicks.

The family expresses appreciation to Hospice Ministries for the exceptional and loving care given during his final struggle with cancer. Also appreciated are the sitters, Joy Granger, Nikki Whittington, Becky Pinter, Jackie Alton and Angie Hamilton, who were so very dedicated and who provided support and friendship to the entire family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Baptist Children’s Village or First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst.