Dr Karl Stewart Watson hailed as an ‘outstanding Barbadian’ during funeral service

A funeral service was held Saturday for Dr Karl Stewart Watson, a distinguished Barbadian historian, archaeologist, educator and diplomat.

The service at St Michael’s Cathedral in Bridgetown included a tribute from Dr Lennox Honeychurch, who noted that Waston was an “outstanding Barbadian” who made “a major contribution” to Barbados and the wider Caribbean.

Reflecting on the many deep Caribbean connections Watson made during his life, Honeychurch recalled how “he gave Bob Marley a tour around Barbados, with Bob riding pillion on Karl’s motorbike.”

Honeychurch said even after Watson’s stint serving in the diplomatic services had ended, “he was on call, prepared to provide information on various levels to all the Barbadian Prime Ministers — from independence to the time of his passing.”

The service included scripture readings by Lisbeth Bessil-Watson, who read from Isiah 11: 1-11, and Michele Edwards, who read from 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:10.

Rev Dr Jeffery Gibson delivered the sermon. He said his encounters with Watson helped him “to appreciate the fact that we may have to deal with some dead facts of the past, but we today have to make our own history.”

Dr Watson passed away at his home at The Garrison, St Michael, on Jan. 11 at the age of 80 after battling cancer.

He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of scholarship, mentorship, and service to Barbados and the wider region.

Following the service, a private interment took place at the Westbury Cemetery. (DLB)