Mr. Leonard K. Watson

Mr. Leonard Knox Watson, 85, of Sylvester died Friday, December 11, 2015 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 14, 2015 at Gordy New Bethel Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Sunnyside Cemetery in Cordele. The Rev Jeff Barker will officiate. Mr. Watson was born in the Worth Community of Turner County on April 1, 1930 to the late Grady Knox and Lena Head Watson. He has lived in Worth County since 1999, having lived most of his life in Atlanta. Mr. Watson graduated from Irwinville High School and Southern Business University of Atlanta. He served in the US Navy from 1951 to 1954 stationed in Norfolk, VA, doing tours on the LST-1079 and then serving as an assistant to Four Star Admiral of the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic Fleet (NATO), Adm. Lynde D. McCormick. Mr. Watson then worked for Rock Island Railroad and Burlington Northern Railroad until his retirement. His hobbies included breeding and raising Pekingese dogs for over 20 years and owned National Grand Champion, Echo. He raised Yorkshire Terriers, cockatiels and English Budgies for over 10 years with his best friend Don Dunn in Smyrna GA. Mr. Watson loved cooking, going out to eat and working in his yard and tending to his flowers. He was a member of the American Kennel Club, National Cockatiel Society and Gordy New Bethel Baptist Church. Survivors include his brothers Charles Watson (Roma) of Woodlands TX and Bobby Watson (Karen) of Sylvester GA niece; Kathy Watson Jones (Tommy), nephews; Lee Watson (Kathy) and Bill King, Great niece and nephews, Kristi Jones, David Jones and Clint Watson (Keri), six great great nephews and 1 great great niece, Special family friends: Billy and Kris Dunn and a loving canine companion, Penny. . In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Mary Watson and a niece Lisa Watson King. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 PM until 5PM at Banks Funeral Home. For those desiring memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN., 38101-9908 or The Salvation Army 304 West Second Ave., Albany, GA., 31701 Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com. Banks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.