Julie Clifton Watson

During her 69 years of life Julie Rebecca Clifton Watson taught thousands of students, nurtured friendships that lasted decades, celebrated her close and extended family, raised two sons with love, and shared an enduring partnership and romance with her husband, Reverend Joe Watson. She passed away after an aggressive battle with cancer on December 4, 2023. For the past six years Julie relished her relationship as "Granny" to two exceptionally delightful grandchildren, Harper and Gunner, of Salem, Arkansas. She is survived by her mother, Evelyn Clifton; her husband and partner, Rev. Joe Watson; her sons and daughter in-law, Nathanael Watson of Atlanta, and Joshua and Hannah Watson of Salem, Arkansas; her sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Clark Norton; cherished cousins, nephews, and nieces; aunt Susan Hitt, and her uncle and aunt, Waldo and Barbara Hitt. Her father, Ronald (Chub) Clifton, uncle and aunt Richard and Ginger Clifton, and uncle Robert Hitt, and Nathanael's partner Erik Reusink preceded her into God's grace and eternal love. Julie taught thousands of students over 35 years, utilizing her undergraduate and graduate degrees from LaGrange College to serve others and strengthen our public schools. While many adults understandably struggle to communicate at all with eighth grade students she captured the interest and attention of her students over and over, as she helped them not only expand their knowledge, but identify their passions and nurture their own imaginations. Julie sang in numerous church choirs, most recently for Fayetteville United Methodist where she was a member. Julie did everything she could to maintain her perfect attendance at Kiwanis meetings, including attending via zoom as she endured cancer treatments. Julie also enthusiastically attended innumerable events for her sons-from the Chattanooga Boys Choir's singing Christmas Tree to ballgames and graduations-where she could support their goals and dreams. Whenever they looked for her she was there, enthusiastically supporting her boy's efforts. During her 47 years of marriage to Joe Watson they served twelve churches within the North Georgia United Methodist Conference, building numerous sustained friendships in the communities they loved. At each church, Julie revitalized the parsonage and made it not only a warm and welcoming place for her family, but a home for the families that would follow hers into them. She was a talented and committed decorator and she welcomed each church family into her home at Christmas. Her extensive Christmas decorations impressed everyone and left other collectors scrambling to the local stores to imitate her immaculate vibes. Her decorations for all holidays were always on point and she could transform any empty house into a home within a week. She was also a talented gardener whose efforts produced vibrant colors and cozy nooks where she and other could sit and read. Julie's hospitality was legendary. Upon retirement, she perfected her pound cake recipe and traveled with Joe in their camper from state parks in Georgia to New Mexico and beyond. Her friends and family will forever miss her love, generosity, hospitality, faith, and joy. Memorials may be made to the LaGrange College Scholarship Fund at LaGrange College, so that her memory may support the future of young educators. Checks can be sent to LaGrange College, Advancement Services, 601 Broad Street, LaGrange GA 30240 or online at www.lagrange.edu/give. The memorial service celebrating and honoring the life Julie lived is Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, 175 E. Lanier Ave, in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until service time on Saturday at the church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580

Julie Clifton Watson

September 12, 1954 - December 4, 2023