Palestine High School Alumni Association

07 / 27 / 1936  –  06 / 22 / 01

Services for Judith A. Watlington, 64, of Palestine, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grace United Methodist Church with Revs. Tom Grisson and David Luckert officiating.  Burial will follow at Roselawn Park under the direction of Bailey & Foster.  Mrs. Watlington died Friday morning at Palestine Regional Medical Center.  She was born July 27, 1936 in Palestine to Roy and Emily Dryman.  Mrs. Watlington graduated from Palestine High School in 1954, received her associate’s degree from Trinity Valley Community College and her bachelor’s degree from LeTourneau College in Longview.

She retired from the City of Palestine as assistant city manager in 1998.  She was past president of the Texas City Managers Association of District 5.  She also served as president of the Palestine Public Library Board and was current present of the YMCA Board of Directors.  She also was a member of the Palestine Rotary Club and a member of Grace United Methodist Church.  Mrs. Watlington was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Jerry S. Dryman.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Nelson Watlington, Sr., of Palestine; daughters, Marla Watlington Buschardt of Houston, Tamara Watlington Larrivicre and Laura Watlington Moore, both of Deer Park; and 13 grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Al Watlington, Joe Watlington, Kelly Watlington, Truitt Barley, Steve Barley and Hayden Barley.

Condolence calls will be received from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.