Blake Lanier Watts, Sr

Blake L. Watts Sr.

Hickory, NC


Blake Lanier Watts, Sr., died March 23, 2011 at Palliative Care Center &; Hospice of Catawba Valley. He was born to the late Callie Gardner Watts and Birchmore Charles Watts on September 23, 1927 in Bishopville, SC. 

Blake 'Kilo' Watts

He is survived by his wife, Alice Miller Watts of the home; two sons: Blake Lanier Watts, Jr and wife Lisa of Hickory, Reid Auburn Watts of Lenoir; three grandsons: Duncan Lanier Watts, Tristan Campbell Watts and Liam Joseph Birchmore Watts all of Hickory; two sisters, Helen Watts Kirkley of Florence, SC; Ozella Watts Williams and husband Milam of Greenwood, SC; a brother, Dargan Birchmore Watts and wife Jane of Orlando, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Mr. Watts was a graduate of Bishopville High School and a 1951 graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he served as President of the Honor Council, ran track and played football. He was a member of Presbyterian College's 10 second backfield and his record of yards per carry still stands today. 

After his graduation he worked for B.C. Moore and Sons and came to Hickory to manage one of their stores. In 1957 he went to work for Investors Diversified Services as a Financial Advisor. He retired in 2000 after 43 years with the company. 

Mr. Watts was a charter member and elder of Northminster Presbyterian Church and currently a member of First Presbyterian Church of Hickory, where he served as President of the Heritage Group. 

He played Santa Claus at various stores and for many charitable organizations and orphanages. He also was an auctioneer both professionally and for many charity fund raisers. 

Blake Watts was fiercely loyal to the causes he championed. He was the first President of the Hickory High School Boosters Club when it was formed and his exuberant pep rallies will be long remembered by any who attended them. 

His accomplishments were numerous but his deepest passion was his love for and devotion to his wife of 56 years, his "Sweet Alice". 

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in Hickory with the Rev. Deborah McEachran and the Rev. Mark Clark officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall. A private family committal will precede the service at Oakwood Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 237 2nd St., NW, Hickory, NC 28601 or Palliative Care Center & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658. 

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of Blake Lanier Watts, Sr.


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