Alva Drane Watson III

Alva Drane (A.D.) Watson, III, age 82, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Monday, March 27, 2023.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Gainesville First United Methodist Church with a visitation to follow the service at the church.
A.D. was born on July 2, 1940 in Gainesville, Georgia to the late Alva Drane Watson, Jr. and Daisy Blanchard Watson. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Elizabeth Anne Watson and Da Anne Blanchard Watson Hardman.
The family came to Gainesville in 1944 from Wrens, Georgia. He graduated from Gainesville High School and played football and baseball and was a member of the Key Club. Watson graduated from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and earned a football letter as a manager for the Georgia team.
After college he joined the United States Army Reserves and was a member for six years. He also graduated from LSU School of Banking of the South, and Atlanta Law School. Watson was then employed at First National Bank for over 14 years. He was vice president and manager of the installment loan department when he decided on a career change. He started A.D. Watson Realty and sold real estate for over 30 years.
A.D. was an active member of Gainesville First United Methodist church and served on the Building Committee for the present location.
He is survived by his children, Drane Watson, IV (Juliet) of Gainesville; Jane Watson Malan (Shane) of Stone Ridge, Virginia; George Watson and Tom Watson, both of Gainesville, Georgia; grandchildren, Luke Watson, Gracelyn Watson, Mallory Malan; Easton Watson, Callie Malan, Shiloh Watson and Victoria Catherine Hunnicut; as well as nephew, Will Cobb (Cathy); nieces, Elizabeth Cobb, Claudia Sparks (James), Aunt Doris O'Hearn and numerous cousins. He is also survived by special loving partner, Eva Colletti of Gainesville.
A.D. loved his family and the game of tennis. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choosing in his honor.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
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