Shirley Marie Watts

Shirley Marie Watts

Aug. 1, 1935-Oct. 21, 2024 – age 89.

Musician, librarian, and loyal friend Shirley Marie Watts of Nashville, Tenn., died Oct. 21, 2024. She was born in Coddle Creek, N.C., on Aug. 1, 1935, to Lois Lytle Brookshire and Fred Morris Watts. Shirley grew up in Kannapolis where her father was music director at several churches, sang in a vocal quartet and played the accordion. Shirley quickly followed in her father’s musical footsteps, taking piano at an early age and later playing regularly at the First Baptist Church. She was part of the first class to attend the new Al Brown High School where she played for the school chorus and orchestra, as well as events in the community.

She left North Carolina to attend George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn., where she earned not one but three degrees, including a B.S. in Music in 1957, a Master’s in Music in 1961, and a Master’s in Library Science in 1967. She was voted sweetheart of the music fraternity in 1955.

Shirley began working out of college in the Peabody music library in 1957 which would later become the Wilson Music Library at the Blair School of Music. She laid the foundation for a repository of music and information that would aid generations of musicians in developing their full potential and realizing their goals. Her deep knowledge of music and musicians blessed generations of students, faculty and friends – many of whom stayed in touch. She worked above and beyond the call of duty until her retirement in 2000.

Shirley acted as rehearsal accompanist for the Nashville Opera for 11 years and was promoted to assistant director. She regularly played for weddings, funerals and events for all denominations. Later in life, while living at Richland Place retirement center, she enjoyed playing music for Jewish and Christian holidays that she had learned during her many years of gigging.

Shirley was a born librarian and true musician with perfect pitch and a deep love of the art. She enjoyed a wide-range of music from the keyboard pieces of Bach and Debussy to the vocal stylings of Elton John; opera to choral to big band. She supported the Nashville music community and local institutions, regularly attending concerts up until the time that she passed.

After moving to Richland Place, she shared her ample talents by volunteering with the library, and to everyone’s delight, playing the grand piano there to honor birthdays and performing carols during the holidays. She was known for singing in the hallways and friends would ask, “What song are we singing today, Shirley?”

Shirley was well-rounded and full of surprises. A loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan, she was as versed in baseball as Beethoven; was as at home at the old Gerst Haus as the

symphony hall. She collected baskets and loved jewelry; kept up with current events and politics. She was well-read, interested, and interesting.

Shirley was a loyal and loving daughter. She spent many years traveling regularly to see and care for her parents in Kannapolis. She maintained close ties to her hometown and warm relationships with old friends. She was a supporter of the Kannapolis History Associates.

If there is one thing that was valued by all those of her acquaintance - beyond her deep and abiding affection for those she loved - it was her quick wit and sassy humor. She laughed easily and quipped often.

She leaves behind many beloved friends including Peggy Downing, Harriet McHenry, Mary Sharp, Jean Gould, Rachel Wolfe, Joe Giles, Tim Gmeiner, Bennett and Vicky Tarleton, Janice Collins, and Jim Reavis, and many, many more; dear cousins in North Carolina, Carol Dean Mecimore, Margie Mays, Fred Bumgarner, Dolphine Cody, Bobbi Nail, Joyce Patterson, Billie Doris, Jack Bebber, Linda Barriger; and her devoted godchildren, Laurens Glass, Lucie Glass, and her son, Jackson Craft, and Brian Glass and his son, Davis Glass.

She loved the people in her life fiercely and unconditionally. For which, they are eternally grateful.

“There are all kinds of love in this world but never the same love twice.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

*Donations in Shirley’s name may be made to the Nashville Symphony, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee or the Kannapolis History Associates.

**Shirley will be interred at Cabarrus Memorial Gardens in Concord, N.C. There will be a celebration of life at Richland Place in Nashville, Tenn. - dates to be announced