John "Fred" Watson

SHELBY - Mr. John Frederick Watson, 86, of 621 Tina Drive, died Thursday,
March 23, 2006, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.
A native of Jefferson County, Tenn., he was the son of the late Rev. W.E.
and Lillie Watson. He attended Carson-Newman College for three years, and
was an Army veteran, serving as First Lieutenant in WWII in both European
and Pacific Theaters. He also served as company commander for the local
National Guard and was a former member of the Shelby Rotary Club and Elks
Club. During his later years, he was owner of Fred Watson Insurance Agency
and publisher of The Cleveland Times newspaper. He was a longtime member
of Westview Baptist Church and the Men's I Sunday School class.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters,
Jennie W. Watterson and Grace W. Walters, and brother, William Watson.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Rozee E. Watson of the home; son,
Larry Watson and wife, Wanda, of Shelby; daughters, Patsy Pritchard and
husband, Gene, of Shelby and Susan Clark and husband, Chuck, of Belmont; a
brother, Ray Watson and wife, Mary Elizabeth, of Sevierville, Tenn.;
grandchildren, Matthew Watson, Danielle Pritchard and Christopher and
Emily Clark. Also surviving is a step-granddaughter, Debbie McAbee and
step-great-granddaughter, Megan, of Gastonia; and several nieces and
nephews.
The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Westview Baptist Church with
the Revs. Steve Ellis and Jim Brackett officiating. The body will be
placed in the church 30 minutes before the service. Burial will follow in
Cleveland Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends tonight from 6:00 to 7:30 at Clay-Barnette
Funeral Home and other times at the home.
Memorials may be made to Westview Baptist Church, 500 Melody Lane, Shelby,
NC 28152, the American Diabetes Association, 222 South Church St., Suite
336M, Charlotte, NC 28202 or to the Immune Deficiency Foundation, 40 W.
Chesapeake Ave., Suite 308, Towson, MD 21204.