Obituary of Michael Watford

Michael Carroll Watford, 64, passed away on December 22, 2020 at Prisma Health in Columbia, South Carolina. Born in Florence, SC, Mike was the eldest of three children of Dr. Lenton Carroll Watford, Jr., and the late Constance “Connie” Burts Watford. Mike graduated high school from his beloved Camden Military Academy in 1975. After high school, he graduated from Newberry College in 1980, and went on to earn a Masters degree in Chemistry at the University of South Carolina in 1985.

Mike was most passionate about teaching and coaching. Mike held a variety of teaching positions in math and science throughout his career, and he fondly remembered his time coaching JV Basketball at Dorchester Academy. He also had an immense thirst for learning, and he was especially passionate about Chemistry and Math. He pursued his love for science by spending the majority of his career at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. 

In his spare time, Mike was actively involved in Camden Military Academy. He gave back to the community through mentoring young students, assisting with fundraisers, and frequently visiting campus to give motivational speeches. Mike was also an avid outdoorsman, and he loved fishing and hunting. He loved raising beagles which he trained for hunting. He was a member of the Dentsville Masonic Lodge and the Knights Templar. Mike was also a member of Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, where he was very involved.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Dianne James Watford of Lexington, SC, his father Dr. Carroll Watford of Florence, SC, his sister Debbie Watford Smith (Dorn) of Florence, and their children, Constance Eleanor "Ellen", Kate Elizabeth "Liz", and Charlie Dorn, IV; his sister Brenda Watford Stokes of Florence, and her children Caroline Hunter and Lauren Elizabeth; his sister-in-law, Rebecca Spearman (Kent) of Lyman, SC and their children Christopher and Kathy Lynn Pool; his nephew Timothy Kelly of Duncan, SC, his niece Delia Dodd of Landrum, SC, and his many great nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Connie Watford, his brother-in-law Kenneth James, his sister-in-law Kathy Kelly and her daughter Melissa.  

The family will hold a graveside service at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 31 at Woodridge Memorial Park. The family suggests that those desiring to make memorials please do so to The Camden Military Academy, 520 US-1, Camden, SC 29020, or Mt. Herman Lutheran Church, 3011 Leaphart Rd, West Columbia, SC 29169.

Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the Watford family.