Leaders and community members are remembering the life of activist and longtime Pinellas County Urban League president, the Rev. Watson Haynes II.

News of his death was announced this weekend, and people who knew him well say they’ve looked into the eyes of a giant.

But that’s how most describe encounters with Haynes.

It’s how St. Pete city council member Deborah Figgs-Sanders will remember her friend and mentor.

"Watson was a wise man and a lot of people depended on him, and they depended on his wisdom and they depended on his resources and his experience, but i’m gonna miss my friend," she said.

A friend and community advocate are just two of the many descriptors on Haynes’ resume. For the last decade he served as the CEO of the Pinellas County Urban League

But his work began long before that position.

"He has quite the history, but i’m glad to say I’m not as old as Watson was, so I can’t give you all of the history, but I do know he did walk these streets and he’s watched several, several phases of change that this city has gone through, especially in south St. Pete," Figgs-Saunders said.

While Watson wore the hats of an activist, community leader and minister, Figgs-Saunders said some of his greatest work was with his loving wife and their family. 

"That journey that he took was not an easy one, but she was there for him," she said. "Of course he has family, he has friends, he has sisters, he has children, but Valarie, I’m going to give the crown to her today."

It’s a crown Figgs-Sanders says she imagines is just a bit heavier today after the loss of the man who was a friend to everyone. 

"We’re still there, we’re still trying to process this, because Watson did it his way," she said. "He didn’t let anyone know what he was going through, and to me, that is the spirit of a champion.

"You know you’re going to live your life to the fullest to the very end, and that’s just what he did."