Virginia Paralee Hubbard Watson, 87, a fourth generation Atlantan, died October 21, 2009, at Piedmont Hospital after a brief illness. Mrs. Watson was the paternal granddaughter of the late Henry G. Hubbard of Hubbard, Shreves, and Grove, founders of Grove Park in Northwest Atlanta. She graduated from Fulton High School with honors in 1939 and from the Marsh Business College. She was also a descendant of the Coursey family who founded the Ezra Methodist Church where the last battle of Atlanta was fought. She was married to the late James Ralph Watson and is survived by their only son, the Reverend Dr. G. Gil Watson, Pastor of the Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Other survivors include her daughter-in-law, Carol Lawhorn Watson; her grandchildren, Geoffrey Hamilton Hubbard Watson and his wife, Julie, George G. “Chip” Watson, Jr., and his wife, Stuart, and Emy Watson Vernier and her husband, Taylor. Mrs. Watson was known as “Nannie” to her four great grandchildren; Hamilton Bradford Watson, Henry Hubbard Watson, Caroline Walker Watson, and Sarah Maclain Watson. She is also survived by Wanda Burgess Ramsey, a cousin who called her “Dee,” several Kerce family cousins who lovingly called her “Jimmie;” and three nephews. Mrs. Watson retired from the Cobb County School System in 1987, where she finished her career in the Superintendent’s Office as an Executive Assistant. For a short time, she was called upon to be Interim Director of the Cobb County Night School and always valued her time helping students to receive their night school diploma. She had previously served as a secretary in Adult Education and in Curriculum. She taught Sunday School for 27 years at Bethany United Methodist Church; served as president of the Lena Cox Elementary School P.T.A. and President of the Booster Club for West Fulton High School. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the National Secretaries Association. Mrs. Watson retired to Pleasant Hill, the family home, in Kingston, GA and was active in the Mizpah United Methodist Church. Her long life was lived serving her family, friends, church, and community. The funeral service will be held at Northside United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 24th, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. G. Gil Watson officiating. The family will receive friends in the Northside Parlor at 10:00 a.m. Internment will be held at Mizpah United Methodist Church Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Hwy 293 in Kingston, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morrison’s Camp Meeting (where she attended since infancy) c/o Northside United Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. A. S. Turner & Sons
