Kenneth Watlington

Orson Kenneth Watlington 91 died on June 21 2005 at Alexandria Place Jackson. Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements with visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday June 23. The funeral will be held at Malesus United Methodist Church Friday June 24 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. James Holmes and Rev. Ray Chandler officiating. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery. Mr. Watlington son of Ulrich Armstrong Watlington and Jennie Hammond Watlington was born in Madison County on December 27 1913. He was married to his beloved wife of sixty-three years Mary Elisabeth Nanney on May 1 1942. A graduate of Lambuth College in 1938 his first teaching post was at Malesus Elementary School beginning a life of service to education. Later her received a Masters degree in Education Administration from the George Peabody College for Teachers in 1947. He was then appointed Principal of Livingston Academy in Livingston TN. He returned to the Jackson School System in 1954 as Assistant Principal of Jackson High School and was with the system until is retirement in 1980. He served as Principal of Alexander Elementary for ten years Principal of Jackson High School and then Assistant Superintendent of Jackson City Schools. Mr. Watlington was a life-long member of Malesus United Methodist Church where he served for many years as Sunday School teacher of the Fellowship Class and a member of the choir. He took and active part in civic affairs in Jackson becoming a life-long Rotarian and being honored as a Paul Harris Fellow of the Jackson Rotary Club. He served as president of the Lambuth Alumni Association and the Jackson Education Association. Mr. Watlington was a veteran of World War II. He served in the Army Air Force with the 31st Depot Repair Squadron in Bari Italy. He is survived by his wife Mary Elisabeth Nanney Watlington; his daughter Judy Elisabeth Watlington Barker and son-in-law Dr. Jerry Barker; granddaughter Janna Elisabeth Barker Branch and husband Brian; grandson Dr. Kenneth Jeremy Barker of Memphis; great-granddaughter Katelyn Elisabeth Branch; two sisters and three brothers Evelyn Black Betty Williams and husband Hubert Rev. Elton Watlington Herman Watlington and wife Lynn Paul Watlington; two brothers-in-law Robert Nanney and wife Betty Jean Laurence Nanney and wife Margaret Anne; sister-in-law Jennie Nanney; a loving group of nieces nephews great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceding him in death were three sisters and four brothers Infant twins Mary and Mable Watlington Clara Mai King Joe Watlington John Watlington Mack Watlington and Sam Watlington. Pallbearers to serve are Brian Branch Michael Bricker Charles Watlington David Watlington Mike Watlington Steve Watlington and Wesley Watlington. Honorary pallbearers are Fred Standley Ralph Johnson James Truett and Buford Matlock. Memorials may be directed to the Kenneth Watlington Scholarship Fund Lambuth University or to Malesus United Methodist Church. Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home 731-424-2424