The Rev. Watson Haynes II, longtime Pinellas County Urban League president who dedicated his life to addressing generational poverty and empowering young people, has died at 69.
The St. Petersburg native was a towering faith, political and civil rights leader in the community. Several local and statewide officials said Sundayit is difficult to think of a part of city life Haynes did not touch with his care and compassion.
The cause of death has not been announced.
“Today our community mourns the loss of a great man,” U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, who went to high school with Haynes, wrote in a statement. “Reverend Watson Haynes was a humble public servant, someone who woke up each and every day with a commitment to fight for freedom, justice, and equality for his neighbors in Pinellas County. But above all, he was my dear friend.” Read more at www.tampabay.com
