Riley Ficklin Watson

RILEY WATSON Riley Ficklin Watson, 90, resident of 229 Elliott Street, widow of Clyde E. Watson, died February 4, 2011 at her home. Born in Cateechee, SC, January 1, 1921, she was a daughter of the late John Thomas "J.T." and Carrie Allison Ficklin. Mrs. Watson received her Bachelor of Art's Degree from Lander College and her Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from Clemson University. She continued her graduate work at Furman University, the University of South Carolina and the University of Southern California. She retired from the Greenwood County School System after 31 years of teaching. During her teaching career, Mrs. Watson lead workshops on grammar and composition across the state and was Past President of the Greenwood County Classroom Teachers Association and Past President of the Greenwood County Education Association. She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church where she served as Chairman and member of numerous committees to include President of the United Methodist Women of Main Street United Methodist Church from 1990-1991, Adult Sunday School and Circle teacher and pianist and organist. Mrs. Watson was a member and past president of the Phelea Study Club and the Daffodil Garden Club, founder and past president of the Greenwood Woman's Club and member and past Executive Board Member of the Lander Alumni Association. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International where she was the recipient of the Leadership Award, initiated and served as president of the Epsilon Chapter and member and past president of the Alpha Iota Chapter. Mrs. Watson was a Who's Who of American Women and Personalities in the South. Surviving are a daughter, Miriam Garner and husband Jim of Greenwood and a son, Clyde "Ed" Watson and wife Lou of Blythewood; a brother, John Allison Ficklin of Baltimore, MD and a sister, Mary Ann Arnold of Starkville, MS; four grandchildren, Jay Garner and wife Michelle and Carrie Pundt and husband Carl, all of Greenwood, Mary Beth Watson of Winston Salem, NC and Ellen Riley Watson of Atlanta, GA; four great-grandchildren, Morgan Layne Garner, Kennedy Marie Garner, Leeann Taylor Pundt and Carlie Nicole Pundt, all of Greenwood. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday at Main Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Barrett Alewine, Dr. C.J. Lupo and Rev. Terry Martin officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Bill Thompson, Allen Wilson, Ted Long, Frank DeVore, Jack Ficklin and Hunter Arnold. Honorary escort will be members of the Mason Sunday School Class of Main Street United Methodist Church. The family is at her home and will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 Sunday afternoon in the Trinity Class Room of the church and immediately following the graveside service at her home on Elliott Street. Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 N. Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646.