Joseph Malcolm Watlington (1906-1993)

Joseph Malcolm Watlington (1906-1993)

Yanceyville - Joseph Malcolm Watlington, 87, of Route 1, Box 464, died May 10, 1993, at Annie Penn Memorial Hospital, Reidsville. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Prospect United Methodist Church, where he was a member. A native of Halifax County, Va., he was a retired contractor and vocational teacher, and a member of the Men's Bible Class at his church.

Surviving are wife, Virginia White Watlington; sons, John M. Watlington, James W. Watlington, both of Yanceyville, Reid Watlington of Poquoson, Va.; five grandchildren.

Hooper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Photograph: 1960 Providence Baptist Church: Reverend Jenkins (left) and Joseph Malcolm Watlington (1906-1993), who built the church. Courtesy Louie Oakley.

Malcolm Watlington's crew building Providence Baptist Church (Providence, Caswell County, NC) in 1959. Courtesy Louie Oakley.

In addition to building larger structures, Malcolm Watlington also was a skilled furniture maker. Here is a hand-punched pie safe he made. Courtesy Jane Lyday Westridge.

"This corner cupboard is of very old walnut and was handmade by Malcom Watlington of Yanceyville, father of Johnny, Jim and Reid Watlington. I explained what I wanted and he built it! Afterwards, he built another for his neice. He made beautiful period furniture. He also made a tall pie safe for me with punched tin in the top doors (he did that, too) and the safe will come apart easily and fold down flat so it could be moved easily in a wagon. He was an artist!"Source: Gail Furgurson Stilwell 12 February 2014 Post to the Caswell County Historical Association Facebook Page.

Jelly safe. Courtesy Bette White McClure.