Roy Wallace Watford

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Posted by: Family First
Date: Jul 02 2022 9:25 AM

ROY WALLACE WATFORD

February 24, 1936 – July 1, 2022

 

Roy Wallace Watford was - among his other talents - a lover of nature and beauty, an accomplished musician, a patron of the arts, an avid gardener, an enthusiastic cook, an educator, a civic leader and an entrepreneur.   Most importantly, he loved cultivating friends and being a friend to others.   These legacies were a true gift to all who knew and loved him.    

Roy died July 1, 2022 in Dothan.     He grew up in Graceville, the son of Roy O. and Mary Evelyn Hodges Watford.   He received a B.S. degree from Troy State University, an M.A. from Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt, and the Ed.S degree from Auburn University.   During his career as an educator, he lived in Eufaula and Tuscaloosa and spent most of his career in Dothan.    He spent 45 years as a public school educator, including service as a high school choral director, English teacher, and was the first principal of Rehobeth High School (where he might affectionately be called “Watford” or “The W” by his students).    It is a testament to his dedication and skill that so many former students continued to be a part of his world long after they graduated.

After retirement from education, Roy found new joy as an entrepreneur - he founded the House of Flowers and later, was the investor and co-founder of Family First Funeral Care.    

Roy “wanted things done right” – these words he chose for his obituary – and was a stickler for propriety and etiquette.   He believed that community and civic participation were “the rent you pay for living” and exemplified that in the many ways he served his community.   He served on the original board of SEACT, the original Board of Landmark Park, and was a member of the Botanical Gardens.   He was also a member of several educational and professional organizations.   He was designated a “Living Landmark” of Dothan by the Local Trust for Historic Preservation.

Music, in many forms, lived in his soul and inspired every part of him. He was an accomplished musician and his love of music was infectious.  He was a long-serving board member of Music South, including several terms as President.    He served as organist-choirmaster for several area churches including Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Lafayette Street United Methodist Church, and many years at his home church, Graceville First United Methodist Church.   If you were lucky enough to sit with him at the piano and improvise, “jam” or play and sing hymns, you were blessed.

He is survived by cousins Sharon Roberts Young (Randy) and their son Andrew; Jean Wells Snipes of Greenville, S.C.  He considered his close and dear friends as his family, including the Jason and Amy Shepard family; Pat, Carol and Kerri Pelham; the Lee Miller family, the Paul Angeloff family; the Loftin family; Paula Wright and his godchild, Peyton Martin.

A celebration of Roy’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 6 at 1:00 P.M. at Graceville First United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations toGraceville First United Methodist Church (1111 8th Ave., Graceville, FL   32440) or Music South of Dothan (www.musicsouth.com).

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