Gracie Arnette Watts: Tabor City

1933 – 2023

     Gracie Arnette Watts of Tabor City passed away on April 7 in Wilmington. She was 90.

     Born Jan. 17, 1933 in Horry County, she was a daughter of Otha A. Arnette, Sr. and Jessie W. Arnette.

     She and her deceased husband, Carol, began their 73-year marriage on Aug. 19, 1949.

     Gracie was a long-time member of New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Tabor City. She worked at Tabor Products for many years and then retired from Walmart after 17 years.

     She enjoyed quilt-making, crocheting, and gardening. She was known for her daylilies and irises, giving away bulbs to many friends and family members. She enjoyed traveling with her husband from Florida to Canada, to Europe and crossing the USA from coast to coast twice. Gracie was a wonderful cook and won many top prizes at the annual Yam Festival sweet potato cooking competition, including blue ribbons and best of show awards.

     Gracie was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Melissa Grace Watts; her husband; and her 10 siblings, Joseph Robert Arnette, Otha Arnette, Jr., Alton Arnette, Roy Ishmael Arnette, Lucille A. Lowery, Geraldine A. Fowler, Franklin D. Arnette, Vincent Ford Arnette, Doloris A. Dix, and Eula A. Edwards.

     She is survived by her children, Timothy Carol Watts of Wilmington, Deborah Watts Gray and husband Eugene of La Grange, Melanie Watts Cox and husband Terry of Loris, and Benjamin Alan Watts of Cape Carteret; ten grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

     Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City, with Rev. Garrett Gasque officiating.

     Family planned to receive friends from 1 to 1:45 p.m., preceding graveside services, in the Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel.

     Sign a guest register here.