Mr. John H. "Poppy" Watson

Mr. John H. “Poppy” Watson, Sr., 89, of Albany, died Sunday, April 19, 2015 at his residence. His funeral service will be held Monday, May 4, 2015, 2:00 PM at First Freewill Baptist Church, with entombment to follow at Crown Hill Mausoleum. Born in Worth County, Mr. Watson retired from the Dougherty County School System as Director of Transportation, Safety and Security after 30 years of service. He previously served as a Patrolman and Motorcycle Officer with the Albany Police Department, which he left at the rank of Lieutenant. He was also the first Juvenile officer in Dougherty County. He and his wife Mary Earle served as Directors of the Dougherty County Youth Home. Mr. Watson served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and afterward in the Army National Guard. For over 50 years, Mr. Watson was a member of the First Baptist Church of Albany, where he was a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher, and loved to sing in the choir. He was head of the Children’s Department for 26 years. In earlier years, Mr. Watson enjoyed square dancing with the Rafter Rockers, and playing tennis with his many friends. In his daily life, Mr. Watson lived to be of service. Even well into his octogenarian years, he worked tirelessly visiting those he called “the old folks” at Palmyra Nursing Home and Morningside Assisted Living, in addition to ministering to hospital patients as well as inmates in the prison system. He also gave out dollar bills to kids he encountered, just to brighten their day. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Earle Powell Watson, brother Frank Watson, and sister Ruth Watson. Survivors include his son John Henry “Hank” Watson, Jr. of Elizabeth City, NC; three daughters: LaRue Watson Martin and her husband Victor W. Smith of Atlanta, GA; LuAnn Watson Morrison and her husband Stan of Leesburg, GA; and Leisel “Lisa” Watson Taylor of Albany, GA; sister Lucille Morgan of FL; 14 grandchildren: Blair Tripp and wife Amy, Brent Watson, Stephen Morrison, Jonathon Bland and his wife Anna, Katelyn Watson and fiancé Timothy John Boyd, Sean Morrison, Chloe Schuller, Tate Schuller, Samantha Taylor, Levi Watson, Grace Kelly Watson, Logann Morrison, John Wesley Watson and Zeke Watson; 5 great-grandchildren: Adyson Watson, Timothy Boyd, Berkeley Tripp, Emilynne Watson; Savannah Tripp, and Mitchell Bland. The family will receive friends Sunday May 3, 2015 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Kimbrell-Stern.

Mr. John H. "Poppy" Watson

September 16, 1925 - April 19, 2015