Dr. Numa Watt Cobb Jr.

A private burial service, where Watt will be laid to rest with military honors, will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Gibsonville, NC on August 5, 2022. A public memorial service will follow at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 North Elm Street Greensboro, NC 27401 at 2PM, with family visitation afterwards.

Watt Cobb was born on December 25, 1937 in Gibsonville, NC to Numa Watt Cobb, Sr. and Leota Frazier Cobb. He and his 4 siblings were raised on a diversified family farm. After graduating from Gibsonville High School, Watt continued to work on the farm while attending Elon College and Lenoir-Rhyne College as a commuter student. He completed his undergraduate degree with honors in 1959. Watt then attended dental school at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1963.

Watt met his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Williford Cobb, while in school in Chapel Hill. They were married in Fayetteville, NC on March 13, 1963.

Watt proudly served his country as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy 5th Dental Company with the Fleet Marine Force from 1963-1965 in Twentynine Palms, CA. After completing his military commitment, he and Carolyn returned to Chapel Hill where Watt continued his education earning a Master’s degree of Science in Orthodontics in 1966. After graduating, he served as a part-time faculty member in the department of orthodontics at the UNC dental school for 6 years.

Watt and Carolyn settled in Greensboro, NC where Watt established his private orthodontic practice. He was a respected professional and worked for 48 years before transitioning his practice to his son, Tripp. Watt was passionate about supporting and growing orthodontics, serving actively and holding various leadership roles in professional organizations both locally and nationally. He served as President of the Southern Association of Orthodontists (SAO) in 1985 and received the prestigious Orin Oliver distinguished service award in 2004. He served as a delegate to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) house of delegates for over 20 years. He also chaired the 2004 AAO National meeting in Orlando, FL.

Watt enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending dental association meetings around the country with Carolyn, playing golf and tennis, snow skiing, restoring and showing antique cars, announcing summer swim meets at the Greensboro Country Club, hunting deer and quail, working his bird dogs, riding his Harley-Davidson, going to UNC football games, enthusiastically attending all grandchildren activities, spending time on the family farm, and watching all things sports. But most importantly, he loved his wife, Carolyn, and his family unconditionally.

Watt was an immensely supportive father and grandfather. In his eyes, there was and is nothing that his children and grandchildren cannot accomplish if they work hard enough and set their mind to it. ‘Papa Doc’ will be missed terribly.

Watt was preceded in death by his parents, Numa and Leota Cobb, and his two older sisters, Dolphine Wright and Nelda Christian. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, his son Tripp (Darlene), his daughter Erin Hoeg (Jens), four grandchildren – Lars and Gwen Hoeg, Ava and Aidan Cobb, and his two younger brothers, Dr. Stephen Cobb and Eric Cobb.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation at https://aaof.aaoinfo.org/select-pledge and the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Cobb family may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.