Watus Hudson Parker

Watus Hudson Parker, 84, was born in Fayetteville (Cumberland), North Carolina on August 3, 1941 where he called home until his transition to Heaven on March 10, 2026. Known to most as “Papa Watus”, he passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his daughters and granddaughters whom he called his “roommates”.

Watus graduated from Massey Hill High School with the Class of 1959. Go Pirates! There he met many life long friends, played football, basketball, and was voted Class President and Best Looking. After graduation, he married Carolyn Barrentine (June 2, 1962) and took an apprenticeship through City Optical in downtown Fayetteville. He became a North Carolina Board Certified Optician in March of 1969. He served his community for over 50 years fitting them with glasses, contacts and artificial eyes…often doing housecalls in the evenings and on weekends. Watus was saved in 1970 and was a member of the Cumberland Church of God for most of his adult life. He was a Sunday School teacher and life long learner. In March of 2000, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Theology from the Christian Life School of Theology. In his last four years, he attended Praise Fellowship Church of God with his family.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Marvin Watus Parker and Annie Hazel Wright Parker; his brother, Jetchel Craven (JC) Parker; his sister in law, Patricia Ann (Patsy) Stegall Parker; his nephew, Jetchel Craven (Jay Jay) Parker, Jr. and his niece, Constance Ann (Connie) Parker Kearney.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Barrentine Parker; his three Daughters, Angie Parker Jacobs (Phillip), Belinda (Kim) Parker Morrison (Brian) & Crissy Parker; his God Son, Rev. Paul B. Keeter, Jr. (Lou & Family); his nine Grandchildren, Amy Gardner & Jeb (Bradley, Mirielle, Cavalera & Parker), Crystal Sousa (Kameron & Devon), Jennifer Downey & Michael (David, Riley & Savannah), Chasity Christian & Wayne (Aubrie, Athia, Payton & Waylon), Charity Clabo & Jessica (Charlotte, Jake & Marvin), Kambrie Smith & Corey, Kelsie Gaddis (Louella), Joanna Bennett and Joseph Chance Parker.

Papa Watus was an avid Tarheel fan. He loved watching sports of all kinds, especially if one of his grandkids was playing. He was known to all his neighbors for shooting hoops on the driveway of his Camden Road home. He was a natural comedian who loved to “cut up” with his children and grandchildren. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting around with family and friends recounting stories of his days at Massey Hill playing sports, classic cars and teenage antics with Phillip Coons, Earl Knowles, Stacy Carter and many others.

What greater measure of a life well lived than a legacy built on love. Papa Watus, you will be greatly missed. See you later, alligator!