Laurence Augustine Stith, Jr.

Laurence Stith, Jr., 83, of Morehead City, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Carteret Health Care.

A memorial service for Laurence will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at All Saints Anglican Church in Newport with the Reverend David Linka, Reverend King Cole and Reverend John Grayson officiating. Interment will be private.

Laurence Stith is known to many as the maestro of the Carteret Chorale. His talents go far beyond directing the community choir for the past thirty-plus years, he took the Carteret Chorale beyond the boundaries of Carteret County. Under his direction, the choir has sung in Williamsburg, VA, Charleston, SC, Washington, DC, New York, NY and Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia (now known as Croatia). Born and raised in New Bern, NC, he is the eldest son of Laurence A. and Lillian Foy Stith. Laurence studied at UNC – Chapel Hill prior to attending the renowned Julliard School in New York City. Laurence worked on the music production of “The Perry Como Show” while attending Julliard School.

Laurence has composed many songs over the years for not only his choral groups, bur for well-known singers.  Liza Minnelli released several of Laurence’s compositions; “One Summer Love”, in 1963; “It’s Just a Matter of Time” and “Maybe Soon” in 1973. Arthur Prysock recorded “Every Time is the First Time”, other singers include; The John Cacavas Singers, Jane Morgan, Gene Stridell.  Laurence conducted and accompanied such stars as; John Gray, Mimi Benzell of the Metropolitan Opera Company, Andy Griffith, Ray Bolger and Rosemary Kuhlmann of the New York City Opera Co. He was the musical director for English Pantomime at New York’s Town Hall and “South Pacific” starring Broadway’s Barbara Cook in summer theater. Laurence appeared on television shows; “Lamp Unto My Feet”, “Look Up and Live”, and “People are Funny”. He sung solos for commercial and was a member of the “Ray Charles Singers”, he sang vocal backgrounds on recordings for many major artists. Laurence sang on cruise ships from the West Indies, Europe, South America and the Mediterranean. He appeared at the “Paper Mill Playhouse” and in the United States Organization (USO) tours in Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland for Strategic Air Command bases. He also performed in supper clubs; the Persian Room of the Plaza in New York City, NC; the Coconut Grove at the Ambassador in Las Angeles, CA; the Camellia House of the Drake and the Empire Room of the Hilton in Chicago, IL. As part of Conrad Hilton’s party, he entertained at official openings of Hilton hotels in London and Athens.

Laurence returned to North Carolina in 1966 and chose Beaufort as his home. Laurence wrote a proposal for a federally funded Cultural Arts Program at Carteret County Schools. The program was funded for three years.

Laurence worked for 28 years as the Cultural Arts Supervisor at the Carteret County Public School Central Office. He worked in both East Carteret and West Carteret High Schools simultaneously, serving as the choral instructor. In addition to the school choirs, Laurence served as Choirmaster and organist at First United Methodist Church in Morehead City from 1970 – 1980; and St. Andrews Episcopal in 1980 serving as Choirmaster and organist until 2002 he went to All Saints Anglican Church until his retirement in 2013.

Laurence was preceded in death by his parents; Laurence A. Stith, Sr. and Lillian “Foy” Stith; brother, Blackwell Stith.

Laurence is survived by his loving wife; Jean Lamm Ward Stith of the home; daughter, Jeanna Ward Evans and husband Jonathan of Greensboro; son Richard Kermit Ward of Morehead City; grandchildren, Elizabeth Evans, Katherine Evans, Buxton Ward, Eliza Paisley Ward; 2 nieces; 2 nephews.

A reception will be held for Laurence immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to All Saints Anglican Church, 292 McCabe Rd., Newport, NC 29570 or a charity of one’s choice in the memory of Laurence Stith, Jr.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.