In Memoriam

Jeretta Clark Hardwick (1956), 81, passed away on July 31, 2018. She was born March 30, 1937 in Erick, Oklahoma to Clifton and Sybel Clark. Jeretta met the love of her life, Horace, at SAGU and were joined in marriage June 29, 1956. Horace’s job took them from Dallas to Little Rock, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, Kansas City, Mexico City and finally settling in Bentonville in 1989. In Bentonville Jeretta was instrumental in the establishment of the Circle of Life Hospice Ladies Auxiliary, “Angels Paying It Forward” and was Co-Chair with her husband of the Capital Campaign of Benton County to raise funds to build a Circle of Life home in Bentonville. Some of her happiest times were spent working in her garden. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Horace; their children and spouses Kevin (Laura) Hardwick of Bulverde, TX, Kim (Greg) Mertes of Bentonville, AR and Kirk (Tracey) Hardwick of Dallas, TX; and many grandchildren. Jeretta was preceded in death by her parents and brother Kenneth.

Joel Anthony Watson, 64, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. He was born on June 30, 1954. Joel is survived by his beloved wife Marie Watson, his three sons, Joel Watson, Jr., Micah Watson, and Caleb Watson. Joel attended SAGU and graduated with his undergraduate degree in 1980. He majored in Church Ministries and minored in Missions. He then went on to further his education at SAGU and graduated in 2000 with a Master’s in Education. He was brilliant. Joel excelled academically and possessed an amazing gift of mastering multiple languages. He was a brilliant linguistic. He spoke, Spanish, French, Malagasy, and Swahili, just to name a few. Joel and Marie met at SAGU. Got engaged and married. Two sons of their three sons attended SAGU (Micah and Caleb). They all were very active in mission’s organizations while here at SAGU. Joel and Marie are part of SAGU’s remarkable heritage of missionaries who’ve followed the call of God around the world. In 1983 went to be a Zaire and now is Congo served one term. Then he went to Madagascar, and served there about 10 years there. They were among the first missionaries in that area. He established the first bible school. When he got to Madagascar there were less than 100 churches, now over there are over 1000. Then they went to Durban, South Africa to work with the indigenous people, the Zulu. Marie worked with human trafficking victims while she was in South Africa. Then they left the international missions field and came to SAGU and served 4 years as the Mission’s Directors. They overhauled the program and started the MissionTEN program (To every Nation in 10 years, 2010-2020). They brought in a new way of thinking and changed the culture within the mission’s program and mission trips at SAGU. After serving at SAGU they left and went back into missions to a sensitive country in Peninsular Asia where they’ve served the past 8 years and began a ministry. Joel also served as an educational consultant operating an after school life skills program.