John "Ralph" Watson

John "Ralph" Watson, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 2, 2007 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C. He had been in declining health for several years. Mr. Watson has been retired for many years. He worked for the Henredon Furniture Company and retired from the Home Security Life Insurance Company. At his retirement, he continued to work for many years as a school bus driver for the Burke County School System. He was born on December 23, 1919, in the Dysartsville Community of Burke County and attended Glen Alpine schools. Ralph had to leave school before he graduated to help his family on the farm. It was his dream to finish school. At age fifty, he achieved that dream and graduated from Western Piedmont Community College with his high school diploma. He was a life long member of the Methodist faith and was a member of Snow Hill United Methodist Church. He was the son of John Baxter and Martha Alice Deaton Mode Watson who preceded him in death. His sister, Mary Lillian Watson, and his half-sister, Willie Eva Mode Lewis, and his son-in-law, Thomas "Tommie" Carl Anderson, Jr., all preceded him in death.

He was the devoted husband to his wife of 61 years, Grace Irene Benfield Watson who survives him in death. He was a loving father to his four surviving daughters; Linda Gail Watson Anderson, Wilma Diann Watson Head, and Husband Kenneth W., Thelma Jean Watson, and companion, Woodrow F. Carson and Vickie Gay Watson Clarke Brittain, and husband Wayne all of Morganton, NC. He is also survived by his faithful and loving canine companion, Bob. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Terri Lynne Anderson Deyton Bourne, Christy Leanne Anderson, Kelley Kathryn Butler, John Russell "J.R." Clarke and Wife, Dana, all of Morganton, Kevin Dwayne Head of Hampstead, NC, Jodi Carole Anderson of Cramerton, NC, Teresa Diann Head Treadway and husband Tim of Valdese, NC. His great-grandchildren Brandon Ray Deyton, Bradley Anderson Deyton, and Sarah Kathryn Deyton, of Morganton, Katelyn Hope White and Mackenzie René White of Cramerton, NC, Tayler Maree Treadway and Tyanna "Chase" Treadway of Valdese, NC also survive him.

The funeral service will be at the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home Friday, April 6, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at the funeral home. The Rev. Sidney Houk assisted by Rev. David Duncan, Pastor J. D. Mallory and Rev. Donald Farris will officiate at the service. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. At other times the family will be at the residence, 4036 Dysartsville Rd., Morganton, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 28052-9813. The family wishes to extend our thanks to the staff of the DaVita Dialysis Center, Marion, NC for their gentle loving care and devotion to our husband, father and grandfather.