Jack Thomas Watson

Jack Thomas Watson, 84, of Lakeland passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 27, 2011, in South Georgia Medical Center.
Born in Lanier County on Dec. 28, 1926, he was the son of the late William Morris Watson and Mary Eldia Boyett Watson.
He attended the public schools in Lanier County and served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. He was engaged in farming for most of his life and was employed for a number of years at Murray Chevrolet and also at Patten Seed Company.
A family man, he treasured each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grand child. He was a devoted member of the Lakeland United Methodist Church where he served on the administrative board. He was a faithful member of the Action Bunch Sunday School Class at LUMC, and he enjoyed his membership in the Lanier County Historical Society.
He especially enjoyed fishing in Lanier County's Banks Lake, the Alapaha River, and area ponds. He was also quite fond of hunting deer, duck, and quail in the woodlands of South Georgia.
Preceding him in death were five brothers, J.D. Watson, Curt Watson, Corey Watson, L.C. Watson, and Billy Watson, and two sisters, Alma Watson King and Zettie Lee Watson Ray.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Willie Daughtrey O'Quinn Watson; a daughter, Patricia Watson Barnes, Lakeland; and two sons, Ronald Louis Watson and wife Linda, Rollingsford, NH, and Larry Wayne Watson, Lakeland.
Grandchildren surviving include Thomas Quinn Nix and wife Angie, Laura Nix Stokes and husband Buck, James A. Barnes, Francisco Jose Marten-Barnes, Rodney Watson and wife Christine, Monica Holliman and husband Scott, Laurie Jean Jordan, Robert Burns Watson, Jackie Anderson and husband Mark, and Justin G. Hurd, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Other survivors include a sister, Mary Nell Yarbrough and husband Futch, Lakeland, and a brother, Marcus Eugene Watson, Nashville, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Mr. Watson will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at the Lakeland United Methodist Church with burial in Empire Cemetery. Officiating during the service will be the Rev. Peter Barlow and the Rev. Bill Watson.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, March 1, 2011, from 6-8 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to the Lakeland United Methodist Church Educational Fund or the American Cancer Society.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com
Music Funeral Services of Lakeland is serving the Watson fa