J.W. "Dub" Watford

J.W. (Dub) Watford, 88, of Valdosta, died on Friday, February 23, 2024, at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born in Valdosta on December 1, 1935, to the late Carlton Clifton (C.C.), and Cubie Swilley Watford and has been a lifelong resident of this area. He was of Christian faith and was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was also a farmer. Having been born and raised on a farm, a deep love of farming was instilled in him that remained until the day he died. He was still instructing how the new crop of corn was to be done in the hospital, to all who would listen. If he wasn’t in a field working, he was at water somewhere fishing. He and his siblings spent many hours with a pole in their hands, fishing together. Next to farming and fishing, he loved bluegrass music. He was a self-taught guitar and dobro player. He especially loved “making music” with Hank and having friends and family from the dirt road gathered around. He looked forward to his almost daily visits from his friend from childhood, Hulon Fletcher and his “favorite yankee from up north,” Russell Hammer, who he was trying to convert into a southerner and a farmer. He loved his family and looked forward to Sunday dinners when everybody gathered together.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Doris Watford; a son Hank (Rhonda) Watford; two daughters, Julie Ennis and Connie (Nathan) Vonier all of Valdosta; a son-in-law Claude Derriso of Clinton, MS; special cousin Barbara Jean Pendergrass; grandchildren, Brandy (Jason), Tyler (Rhonda), April (Lee), Maria (Louie), Josh (Kelley), Matthew (Rachel), Seth (Janna), Jonathan, Sadee, Russ (Lauren); 24 great-grandchildren; 4 great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews that loved their Uncle Dub.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sherrie Lynn Derriso; grandchildren, Benjamin, Rebekah and Briley; parents, C.C. Watford and Cubie Swilley Watford; siblings, Betty, Bobby, Emmie and Pete.

A graveside service for Dub Watford will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Swilley Hill Cemetery with Hank Watford officiating. The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service at the cemetery. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com.. Carson McLane Funeral Home.