Vinson Carol Watson, 71, of Vero Beach, FL died Friday, December 16, 2011 at the Indian River Medical Center after a prolonged illness.

Mr. Watson was born December 24, 1939 in Mud Creek, GA and moved to Vero Beach over 40 years ago from Pahokee, FL.

He had worked with IBM, Publix and after retiring the Indian River County Sheriff Department as a crossing guard at Highlands Elementary School. Mr. Watson was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach, a volunteer and Troop Leader with the Boy Scouts for many years for which activities he was honored with membership in the Order of the Arrow.

Survivors include his wife Mable Watson of Vero Beach; son Timothy Watson and his wife Sherri of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Cheryl Miller of Vero Beach; daughter Donna Haynes and her husband Randy of Vero Beach; his mother Georgan Watson of Nashville, GA; sister Jean Tanner of Nashville, GA; brother Calvin Watson and his wife Susan of Mills River, NC; sister Glenda Drummond of Indiantown, FL; brother Kenneth Watson and his wife Darlene of Nashville, GA; brother Bill Watson of Nashville, GA; twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father John D. Watson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach Scholarship Fund, 2206 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or the Treasure Coast Gator Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 643839, Vero Beach, FL 32964-3839.

Service: The family will receive friends 4-7 PM, Monday, December 19, 2011 at the Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach and again 9:30-10:30 AM, Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach with a Life Celebration Service for Mr. Watson at 10:30 AM, Rev. Derrick West of the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Ft. Pierce, FL.

Arrangements are under the direction Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL. Condolences may be sent to www.coxgiffordseawinds.com