Dr. Gene Lee Watterson, 84, of Birmingham, Alabama and Shelby, North Carolina passed away at his home surrounded by his family.  Born in Decatur, Alabama on December 10, 1929 he was the son of the late Eva Rose and Alton Watterson. He has two surviving siblings, Dr. Douglas Watterson of Stuart, FL and Mrs. Richard Dunkle of Winchester, VA.

Dr. Watterson was a veteran of the US Navy and served in the Atlantic theater during WWII.

Following his military service, he did undergraduate studies at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and further graduate studies at the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary in Richmond, Virginia. He also received advanced training in clinical counseling at Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia. He graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

He was married to the late Yvonne Caudle for 52 years. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Camp Elliott of Birmingham, Alabama along with three children, Pamela Watterson Runyans (husband Robert) of Raleigh, NC, Dr. Gene Watterson Jr. (wife Ruth) of Birmingham, AL and Lisa Watterson Johnson (husband Michael) of Raleigh, NC and two stepchildren, Sharon Viegas (husband Keith) of Birmingham, AL and Bruce Elliott (wife Laurie) of Jasper, AL. Dr. Watterson had eight grandchildren, Cpt. Robert Watterson Runyans (wife Elizabeth) of Erbendorf, Germany, Abigail Yvonne Runyans (husband Patrick Shaver) of Colorado Springs, CO, Camille Currin Runyans of West Point, NY, Adelyn Danielle Watterson, Gene Lee Watterson III and Matthew Coleman Watterson all of Birmingham, AL, Thomas Michael Johnson and Lillian Paige Johnson of Raleigh, NC. He also had four step grandchildren, William Cade Garrett, Riley Savannah Garrett and Brody Camp Garret of Birmingham, AL and Samuel Walker Elliott of Jasper, AL. He was also the proud great grandfather of Robert Watterson Runyans, Jr. and Margaret Cora Runyans of Erbendorf, Germany.

Dr. Watterson served as pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, VA, First Baptist Church of Crestview, FL, Murray Hill Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL and for 26 years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, NC.

Active in Christian work, Dr. Watterson was asked to serve on various boards and committees on local, state and national levels. He was president of the Council of Christian Higher Education and served as 1 ^st Vice President and then President of the Baptist State Convention of NC. In the service of our Lord, he

travelled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

The family will receive friends beginning at 3 o'clock in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Shelby NC followed by a 4 o'clock service this Thursday, May 8, 2014. A graveside service will be held at Blandford Cemetery on Friday, May 9, 2014 at 2 o'clock in Petersburg, VA with Military Honors.

A memorial service will be held at 2 o'clock on May 18, 2014 at Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL.

Flowers are appreciated but memorials can be made to the Gene L. Watterson Scholarship Fund at Gardner-Webb University.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com Arrangements are by the Smith Funeral Home of Broadway, NC.

Although he is no longer with us, the words that echoed throughout his life were the words of Jesus when He said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him, and eat with him,  and he with me,"(Rev. 3:20). When quoting that scripture, Dr. Watterson would always pose the question, "Have you done that? Would you do it now?"