Photo courtesy of Paul Funeral Home of Washington
Washington, North Carolina
Jan 7, 1958 – Oct 30, 2025
Ray Watson Pridgen, age 67, a resident of Washington, NC died Thursday October 30, 2025, at ECU Medical Center in Greenville.
A private celebration of Watson’s life will be held later for family.
Watson was born in Beaufort County on January 7, 1958, son of the late William Eldred Pridgen and the late Neva Joyce Carrow Pridgen. He was a 1977 graduate of Washington High School, where he played on the Pam Pack tennis team, helping to win the conference championship all three years he played. He also enjoyed playing golf, but his greatest love was spending time with family. Before his retirement he was a truck driver for ten years with Evan’s Seafood in Washington.
Survivors include his brother, Keith Pridgen and his husband Ik Jumani of Charleston, SC; a brother-in-law, Lee Cherry of Washington; nieces and nephews, Aven Harris, Roshad Pridgen, Brandy Powell, Anna Lee Powell, Trae Cherry, Scarlet Cherry, Loren Cherry, and Neva Smith; and a close family friend, Solomon Gibbs, Jr.
In addition to his parents, Watson was preceded in death by a brother, Wesley Pridgen; and sisters, Neva Cherry and Tammy Lynn Pridgen.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 930-A Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.
Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Pridgen family.
Read MoreSeems like the only time I saw Watson was in walmart ad we talked for a while, he will be missed I'm sure! RIP Watson my friend.
Terry Weatherington
November 04, 2025 | Washington, NC | Friend
I graduated with Watson. Class of 1977.
So sorry to hear of his passing.
Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Kathy Swain Godley
November 04, 2025 | Washington, NC | Classmate
Watson was a good friend in high school and a very talented athlete. Very sorry to hear of his passing
Jim Bonner
November 04, 2025 | Washington, NC | Friend
Caroline Cowell Crisp
November 04, 2025 | Washington, NC
Felecia Cutler Taylor
November 04, 2025 | Chocowinity, NC | Friend
Condolences to his loved ones and friends.
Breth Howerin Powers
November 03, 2025 | New Bern, NC | Classmate
Keith !! I am oh so sorry and sad for you
I have memories of fixing food to watch football with Watson ❣ and “ the boys “ ❤❤. He was GREAT!!!
tracey robinson
November 03, 2025
Many memories, many conversations, you will be missed by many. Rest easy, brother-n-law!
Lee Cherry
November 03, 2025 | Washington, NC | Family
Watson was a great person and friend. In the early 1980s when I lost my job and I was in a very rough place it was Watson that gave me a job at Frischcorn Carolina and helped me to get on my feet and have a great place to work before I finally moved to Asheville North Carolina in 1986. I have great memories of fun times with Watson in my 1968 Camaro and all the laughs and fun times we had. He was a fantastic athlete and a great tennis player and a better person and friend. He will be greatly...
Eddie Jones
November 03, 2025 | NC | Friend