Mid Atlantic Christian University Honors the late Hilda Sadler Watson

Mid Atlantic Christian University (MACU) is the former Roanoke Bible College in Elizabeth City.  The story below is from MACU Spring 2013 Messenger. Reprinted with permission from MACU. Photos courtesy Mid Atlantic Christian University, with permission.

Honoring a Saint and Longtime Friend of Mid-Atlantic

The late Hilda Sadler Watson

  

Hilda Sadler Watson loved Mid-Atlantic Christian University. But even more, she loved the Lord, her church, her husband, and her friends and family.

Her obituary in March 2011 told only part of her story: married to Roy Watson 69 years; faithful member of Lowland Church of Christ; graduate of Hobucken High; active in community activities, projects, and clubs; showed interest in others and their welfare; partnered with Roy in their R.E. Mayo Seafood Co. and was his helpmate during his 27 years of blindness; devoted to every member of Roy’s family; and so much more.

MACU President Bill Griffin and his wife, Trish, spent seven years in part-time ministry with Lowland Church of Christ, where Roy and Hilda worshiped. He recalls the many times they enjoyed the Watson’s hospitality in their home and around their table.

During those years, the college was working to improve the library under the leadership of Trish Griffin. Mrs. Watson developed a love for the library then that lasted for decades. Ever the entrepreneur, she donated her “flower commission” to buy new books for the library. She earned the commission by acting as an agent assisting county folks who wished to purchase flowers from a florist in New Bern. Her love for and patronage of the library led to a significant gift from the Watsons in the late 1990’s. As a result, the new library in the Blanton Center was named the Watson-Griffith Library.

Bob Moulden ’73, one of many young preachers-in-training blessed by the Watsons, reminisced about his weekend ministry at Lowland during his sophomore year at MACU:

“I’ve never known a more devoted couple [than Roy and Hilda Watson] in my life. Devoted to one another, and devoted to the Lord and His church. They began putting their fingerprints on my spiritual life that [first] weekend and continued for years. Their priorities and principles helped shape much of who I am today. Their wisdom has proven reliable, even through the changing times.”

He recalled that Hilda was knowledgeable and intelligent, yet humble and simple, a super good cook with the gift of hospitality. “In her home you were treated like royalty, but you felt like family.”

“Few people, if any, have ever held stronger ties to Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She supported the school and spoiled many of her students. . . . It would be hard to properly assess her impact on the lives of the many young preachers, and their wives, who passed through the pulpit at Lowland. Her good example. Her unwavering devotion. Her hard work. Her undying resolve.”

Brother Roy Watson recently honored the memory of his beloved Hilda with a gift of $1,000,000, the largest gift in the university’s history. With gratitude the university accepts this gift in Hilda’s honor and to the glory of God. We are grateful for Sandra Foreman Rice, Roy’s long-term bookkeeper, who has been instrumental in this process. 

The university has used the gift to strengthen the faculty and staff, debt management, support the library through the Mid-Atlantic Foundation, and to strengthen the school’s financial position during these difficult years.

Roy Watson told President Perkins that he “grew up when the college started,” so supporting the college has always been a part of his and Hilda’s life. Roy added, “When the college is strong, so are the rural churches in eastern North Carolina.” He is pleased to support the college in memory of his wife. “It is the right thing to do. Hilda would want me to do this.”

As one would imagine, Brother Watson’s Bible is full of quotes from sermons and marked up. It guided Roy and Hilda for years. President Perkins noticed a particular entry: “Good vision includes the ability to see what another person can become.”

Thank you, Roy and Hilda. You have seen in our students the great things they can become and do for the cause of Christ.

If you would like to send a gift to the Mid-Atlantic Foundation fund in memory of Hilda Watson, please contact Sandra Perkins, Foundation Director, at 252-334-2003, or by email at sandra.perkins@macuniversity.edu.

L-R; Scott Carter, Bobby Waters, Norman Miller, Roy Watson, Bill Griffin, Myron Elliot

 

Roy Watson