Lawrence A. Watts Jr.

Lawrence A. Watts Jr., 101, was born on June 18, 1924, and drifted peacefully into heaven on November 16th, 2025, surrounded by his loving friends and family, at his home in the Cypress Glen Retirement Community.
A memorial service will be conducted in the Brown Chapel at Cypress Glen Retirement Community on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 2PM, with a reception following the service. There will be a private burial for family in Greenwood Cemetery.
Lawrence was the son of Rev. Lawrence A. Watts, Sr. and Mrs. Lallah Brown Watts. He attended public schools and graduated in 1942 from Hugh Morson High School in Raleigh, NC. He attended NC State and received a BS Degree in General Engineering (1949). When he was a freshman he was involved with the ROTC and also volunteered for the US Army aviation cadet program. His education was interrupted by an injury, but he was ultimately able to serve as a flight engineer/crew chief in the 317 Troop Carrier Group, 41 Troop Carrier Squadron, in the 5th Air Force in the Pacific Area. After graduation from NC State, he spent the rest of his life working as an engineer. He received his Professional Engineering License in 1962. His career included employment with Cone Mills Corporation, NC State Government and Carolina Power and Light Company.
He married Mary Ann Waldrop in 1957 and they lived in Raleigh and raised two children, Lawrence A. Watts III and Lois W. Watts. In 1984 he moved to Greenville, NC and in 1990 married Priscilla "Sis" East. She preceded him in death in August, 2024. Also preceding him in death was their faithful and special dog, Brady.
Lawrence enjoyed his engineering career, his family, sailing, tennis, golf, the Methodist Church, his home in Morehead City NC, good health, and many good and faithful friends. He was an avid photographer and chronicler of family history. He was very proud of his crucial contribution to North Carolina in helping prevent the construction of a 300 ft high, 500 acre garbage dump on Highway US 17, in Camden County, NC. This facility would have been located across the road from the North Carolina owned 12,000 acre Dismal Swamp Nature Preserve and Welcome Center.
He is survived by his son, Lawrence A. Watts, III (Tracy) of Charlotte, NC and daughter, Lois Watts of Raleigh, NC, grandchildren, Christopher Blalock (Amy), Mariane B. Grubbs (Andrew), and Adam Watts and Daniel Watts and 2 great grandsons. His nephew Andy Heath of Charlotte and niece Nancy Isakson of Atlanta, also survive him.
Also left to cherish his memory are Sis' family of Greenville: her daughters Chip Harrell (Pete), and Martha Vainright (Julian), 2 granddaughters and 7 great grandchildren. Also surviving is his very special friend, Bill Lee.
Lawrence and Sis enjoyed traveling and also enjoyed living in Morehead City NC, Hilton Head, SC, and Greenville NC. In November of 2009, they moved to the Cypress Glen Retirement Community (which was originally his grandfather Brown's farm land). They were very fortunate to live there 16 years and experience lots of fun times and meet many new friends. The entire staff is so supportive and dedicated.
A VERY special thank you to his loving Angels on Earth...the most incredible group of kind, gentle, patient, loving, and Christian caregivers ever!! Stephanie Ball, Nancy Galloway, Sheila Lassiter, Mary Mattheis, and Penny McCreary. The ECU Health Home and Hospice staff were extremely gracious and helpful during his transitional days. Many thanks to them.
Lawrence was a true man of God who was blessed with a remarkable life and longevity. He was always very gracious and grateful for all of his blessings. He loved to talk people about what they had going on in their lives and never missed a chance to say 'please and thank you' and 'thanks so much for coming by to visit'. We will miss him and the heartfelt dinner blessings that he shared without hesitation. Many wonderful memories!
The family sincerely requests no flowers, but if anyone desires, they would be very thankful for donations to the Cypress Glen Benevolence Fund, 100 Hickory Street, Greenville, NC 27858.