Kenneth Watson

Memorial graveside services for Mr. Kenneth Steven "Steve" Watson will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Meridian Memorial Park Cemetery, with Pastor Becky Smith officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Kenneth Steven "Steve" Watson was born on August 16, 1955 in Meridian, Mississippi. He passed from this life on October 15, 2025 at 70 years old surrounded by his loving family.

Steve, a well-known guitarist, had a love for music. Even as a young teenager, he formed his own bands and performed at school functions and private events. His passion for the guitar followed him into adulthood where he moved to California and studied and mentored under renown guitarists, Ted Greene and Ron Eshtay. He lived in California several years performing with many bands and meeting many well known recording artists such as Kenny Loggins, Wayne Newton, and many more. He traveled with Mr. Newton as a lead guitarist and his orchestra, all over the United States and Canada after returning home to Meridian. After returning to Meridian, Steve, again, founded his own bands, composed his own music and successfully released several recording albums. He taught many, many students and continued to demonstrate his talent and passion for the guitar.

Jazz was his love and you could feel it any time he picked up one of his many guitars. For 15 years, Steve performed at Weidman's every Sunday during their brunch, giving musical pleasure to all that were present, along with playing for special occasions and private parties for Weidman's Restaurant.

On a personal level, Steve loved being outdoors all day, cutting the grass, or simply maintaining his home on Watson Hill. He was a wonderful son to his late mother, Sylvia Lee Watson.

In his later years, Steve enjoyed a quiet life surrounded by Nature where he found his most peace watching all the wildlife in his yard. He loved his time with family as he considered them as his strength, especially his sister and best-friend, Vickie Peek. Steve was a humble and grateful person as he never took anything for granted. His love for humanity was simply indescribable.

Steve is survived by the love of his life, Vickie Watson; his children, Chris Rhodes of Oklahoma, Stephanie Poppy of Meridian, Kenny Watson (Pamela) of French Camp, Emily Davis of Meridian; 6 beautiful grandchildren that were his pride and joy; sisters, Cheryl Tyvoll of Alpharetta, Georgia and Vickie Peek (Rusty) of Meridian; along with two nieces, Michelle Whitten (Brad) of Alpharetta, Georgia and Stacy Moore (Scooter) of Meridian; and two nephews, Lee Molpus of Pelham, Alabama and Russ Moore (Kari) of Meridian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvia Lee and Kenneth Watson; maternal grandparents, Vera Lee and Everett Smith; and his paternal grandparents, Lyda and Fred Watson.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.

"Music, once admitted to the soul becomes sort of a spirit, and it never dies" (Edward Bulwer Lytton).