Ralph Watson
Ralph Watson, Jr., 74, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Hospice of Chattanooga.
He was born in Greenville, Ga., and at a young age the family relocated to Chattanooga, where he resided for 36 years. Afterwards, he relocated to Kensington, Ga., where he resided there for 37 years, and attended Marble Top Baptist Church. Approximately two years ago, he relocated to Lafayette, Ga., where he remained until his death.
Ralph worked many years as a welder for Crane Company, Wheland Foundry, and retired from Ross-Meehan, where he worked for approximately 20 years. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and working on cars. Ralph was a man of his word; what he said he would do, and did fulfill. He loved his family deeply, always offering words of wisdom about life.
Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Watson, Sr., mother, Annie I. Watson, brothers, James Martin, Raymond Watson, Artie P. Watson, and infant son, Reginald Watson.
Survivors include his sons, Terrance Dewayne Watson (Candi), Tracy, California, Jeff Coats (Tracy), Lafayette, Georgia; daughters, Regina Mertilien (Patrick), Lathrop, California, Andrinna Davis (Maurice), Chattanooga, Truesinda McElderry-Sharp, Phoenix, Arizona, Bridgitte Carey, Stockton, California, Veronica McElderry, Anniston, Alabama; Stepdaughter, Vanessa Cameron, Ringgold, Georgia. One sister, Elizabeth Ann Watson-Drake, Chattanooga; four nieces and four nephews; 31 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.
Special thanks to the staff of Erlanger Hospital and Hospice of Chattanooga for their support.
The funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. in the chapel.
The body will lie in state after noon on Friday, Jan. 20, and the family will receive friends from 7–8 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.