Ralph Watson
6th Pastor of Faith
Pastor from Aug 1975 - June 1979
Obituary
Reverend Dr. Ralph Watson, 87, formerly of Tallahassee, passed away July 8, 2016 at his home in Dawsonville, Ga., surrounded by his family. A graveside service was held Tuesday, July 12th at the Hannatown Cemetery located in south Decatur County, Ga., officiated by Rev. Jim Wilder, Pastor of Westside Family Worship Center Assembly of God in Jacksonville, Fl, and Ken Hamilton, Pastor of Tallahassee Heights UMC. Also, a Memorial Celebration of his life and ministry was held at The United Methodist Church in Dahlonega, Ga. on Saturday, July 23rd, honoring his six decades of Pastoral and Ministerial service in the North Georgia area and in Florida. Testimony of Ralph's many accomplishments were delivered by Dr. Dayna Watson, Bishop Jimmy Whitfield, Dr. Warren Lathem, Dr. Dee Shelnutt, Rev. Larry Patton, Dr. Eddie Fox, Rev. Taavi Holmann, and Dr. Winston Worrell. It was noted that all but one of the churches he had pastored were represented by people from each church.
Ralph was born to Max Olen Watson and Emma T. Watson on June 26, 1929, in Tallahassee along with his identical twin, Rudolph Watson (Tallahassee, Fl). He had two older siblings, T. C. Raker (deceased), and June W. Revells (Chattahoochee, Fl.) His three younger siblings were Betty J. Swenson,(Dawsonville, Ga.), Thomas K. Watson (Deceased) and Max O. Watson .Jr. (deceased).
Ralph graduated from Leon High School in Tallahassee in 1948. After serving in the U. S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955, he felt the call to the ministry and was ordained in the Florida Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1957. He graduated from Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga. He returned to Florida and served as Pastor of the Deland, Fl. Pentecostal Holiness Church for eight years. While in Deland he attended Stetson University. After his service in Deland, the Conference sent him and his wife, Mary, to Orlando, FL to manage a church owned nursing home facility.
In 1965 Ralph and his family moved to Atlanta, Ga. where he worked in sales while he continued his education at Georgia State College. He later attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he earned a Doctorate of Ministry degree in 1977. He also served as Pastor of Sardis Congregational Christian Church in Covington, Ga. during this time.
In 1975, Ralph joined the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served Faith UMC (Riverdale, Ga.), followed by serving Oglethorpe UMC (Atlanta), in 1979, Salem UMC (Conyers, Ga.),in 1985, and then became Associate Pastor at St. Timothy in 1989 under Dr. Gerald Thurman in 1989 and Dr. Dee. Shellnut until his retirement in 1994. Upon his retirement he ministered with Dr. Eddie Fox and Dr. Winston Worrell, serving as the Director of Development for the World Methodist Evangelism Institute at Emory University. During this time, they traveled around the world to provide training to Methodists on six continents from 1994-2013. He remained a volunteer until his death.
Ralph was married to Mary E. Hanna Watson at her parents home in Decatur County, Ga. on June 2, 1950. They recently celebrated their 66th anniversary.
They have two children: Duane Watson (wife Deborah) (Bainbridge, Ga.) and Debbie Delong, (husband Charles) (Dahlonega, Ga.). They have five grandchildren: Brian G. Garmon and wife Tasha B. (Flowery Branch, Ga.), Kimberly M. Mincey and husband Paul R. Mincey (Dahlonega, Ga.), Douglas D. Watson and wife Nicola J. Watson (Bainbridge, Ga.), Dr. Dayna M. Watson (Birmingham, Ala.), and Deanne Strong, husband D.J., (Bainbridge, Ga.). They have nine great-grandchildren: Sarah J. Reese (Athens, Ga.), Christian R. Russell (Flowery Branch, Ga.), A. Tyler Mincey (Dahlonega, Ga.), Brian G. Garmon, Jr. (Flowery Branch, Ga.), Emma V. Watson (Bainbridge, Ga.), Cadence M. Garmon (Flowery Branch, Ga. Kaitlin M. Mincey (Dahlonega, Ga.), Camden P. Mincey (Dahlonega, Ga.), and soon to be born, Malia Rae Strong (Bainbridge, Ga.)
Ralph is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to World Methodist Evangelism Institute, 1531 Dickey Dr., Atlanta, Ga. 30322 or to Dahlonege United Methodist Church Debt Reduction Fund, 107 South Park Street, Dahlonega, Ga. 30533.
