Fletcher Drummond Watson, of Covington, Virginia, on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, went to be with his Lord and Savior.

He was born on January 11, 1922 in Accomack County, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-five years, Jane Holland Watson and his parents, Major Fosque Watson and Addie Sarah Allen Watson, and his brothers, Allen C. Watson and F. Vaughan Watson, and brother-in-law, Joseph Salih.

Surviving is his only child, Fletcher D. Watson, Jr. and special friend, Susan McGreevy of Charlottesville, Virginia; most dearest friend, Carole S. Huffman of Covington; three grandchildren, Katia Giselle Jane Dougherty and husband, Chase of Denver, Colorado, Fletcher D. Watson, III of Seattle, Washington and Krista Caroline Louise Watson of Raleigh, NC; great granddaughters, Kaya Lynne Dougherty and Skylar Jane Dougherty.

He is also survived by his siblings, Willie Brown Salih of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Robinson Rich (Bob) Watson and his wife, Virginia (Ginger) Watson of Chesapeake, Virginia and several nephews and nieces.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Covington, having served as a deacon. He was a graduate of Beacom College (now Goldey-Beacom) of Wilmington, Delaware and received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor of Law degrees from the University of Virginia.

Mr. Watson was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force and the U. S. Army, having served thirty-nine months during World War II at many stations in the United States and in Korea.

Prior to entering the service, he was employed by Bethlehem Steel Company in Wilmington, Delaware as purchasing agent. He also served many years as Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Covington National Bank, later known as First Virginia Bank-Highlands.

He began the general practice of law in Covington on July 1, 1952, with co-graduate of the University of Virginia, William E. Carson. He retired on July 1, 2014 and practiced law through the years with R. B. Stephenson, R. B. Stephenson, Jr., R. B. Stephenson, III, George J. Kostel, James D. Snyder and Dabney L. Pasco and served many years as a substitute judge of the court now known as the General District Court and also Commissioner of Accounts of the Circuit Court of Alleghany County for more than twenty years.

He was president of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity at the University of Virginia, one of the organizers and President of the United Fund of Covington and Alleghany County; Secretary and Manager for many years of A. A. McAllister & Sons' Company, Inc., a longtime developer of subdivisions in and around Covington, member of the Kiwanis Club, Charles P. Jones Memorial Library Board, Ingalls Field Airport Authority, Chamber of Commerce, President of Alleghany Country Club, Virginia State Bar and Virginia Bar Association, and president of the 19th Judicial Association.

He and Jane particularly enjoyed the memorable times and the people at the Homestead and the Golf and Tennis Club during more than fifty years of membership.

Mr. Watson is greatly indebted to Linda Wolfe Carpenter – a devoted and exceptionally competent secretary and legal assistant – and to her husband, Wilbur J. "Jim" Carpenter, Jr. and family for their kindness, friendship and aid.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 2, 2021 from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating and assisted by Rev. Susan Ennis. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Roscoe B. Stephenson, III, Fletcher D. Watson, III, Dabney L. Pasco, Chase Dougherty, Wilber J. "Jim" Carpenter, Linda Carpenter, Pat Loving, Bill Wilson and Bob Burks. Alternate pallbearer will be Nicholas Ryan Burks. Honorary Pallbearer will be James D. Snyder.

Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home during normal business hours on Monday, February, 1, 2021 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. and on Monday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines are required in order to protect the health and safety of those attending the service.

The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Mountain Regional Hospice. P. O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, Va., 24422.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.