Name: Peacock, Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service
Address: Southport, NC

I will always remember your kindness, the lunches we shared, the dedication of the statue of the Sacred Heart we donated & most of all your Christmas  mass for the children.  We miss you.

I miss Father Trent terribly.  He was one of a kind.  In my prayers always.

Lawson was my best friend.    He was truly one of the best humans around.   Many knew him professionally.  I knew him personally.  Love you my friend. You were the best❤️

I will miss Trent and loved him very much. He was in my wedding and was the most confident, self sufficient person. Aunt Elsie and Celeste were so fortunate to have such a loving and caring  son and brother.  He will forever be in my heart. With love, Tammy Clardy.

Dearest Fr. Trent we will sadly miss you as the person who led us. Your pointed Homily each Sunday were so refreshing  many of your parishioners will truly miss you.  I pray we may find comfort in knowing your Mom is holding you and with the power of the Lord you may still guide us. To his family I wish you comfort and pray to help with heartfelt loss.
 

Fr Trent was our pastor for many years at Sacred Heart in Southport, we were sad to hear of his passing.  He gave First Holy Communion to all three of my children and my husband converted to Catholicism under him.  He gave wonderful homilies.   I attended his funeral today and thought it was beautifully done.  Prayers to the family.  

My husband Terry and I met Fr. Trent when we became parishioners at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport, NC.  He was our pastor for approximately 6 years.  We were very fond of Fr. Trent, in fact we became Eucharistic Ministers and Terry was an active 4th degree Knight of Columbus.  We especially enjoyed all of Fr. Trent's sermons.  They always struck us as relevant and seemed to fit a situation that we were facing, almost every time.  I wish he had published them, he always kept a copy on yellow legal paper.  
We often had lunch after the 11:00 Mass at his favorite restaurant, Locals.  He had a great wit, very dry wit.
We also had another connection to Fr. Trent.  The priest that gave him instruction in the Catholic Church and then brought him into the Church was  Rev. Robert Shea.  He had served at St. Mary's in Wilmington as pastor.  We met Fr. Shea in Lenoir, NC at St. Francis Church.  He baptized all 4 of our children, travelling to wherever we were living at the time.  Fr. Shea was certainly a favorite of Fr. Trent.
We are greatly saddened at Fr. Trent's passing.  He will be missed by many.

Joe and I met Father (Fr) Trent when he was a Seminarian serving at St. Therese in Wilson.   We became friends at that time.   When he came back to Wilson as our pastor, we started taking him out to eat and inviting him to our house for meals.   After 11:00  am Mass, he’d come over for lunch.  He’d be very tired.  He’d sit in the recliner; we’d bring him cheese, olives and Lebanese bread and a Pepsi.  He’d eat and fall asleep until lunch was ready.  We always had ketchup on the table for him.  He would add it to the kibbee and we’d get tickled.  We loved Fr Trent and missed him after he left.  We would see him at diocesan functions every once in awhile.  We feel like he went straight to Heaven.    Joe and Lillian George

Fr. Trent, we were blessed to have you as our Pastor at Sacred Heart in Southport. I still recall, and pass on to others, messages from your wonderful homilies. When prayer intentions were spoken at daily Mass, by me or others, several times you would stop the person after Mass to inquire and ask for a name so you could pray. Your devotion to Mary inspired us to have a deeper devotion.  It was always uplifting to me when our paths would cross outside of church and you took time to chat. We are sad to lose you so soon. May you rest in peace.





Celeste,

I am envious of those that knew Trent longer than I did.  He was not only my parish priest, but he was like a brother to me.  We were foodie buddies and Ivy Cottage buddies.  I even helped him buy a set of Haviland dishes that he loved that my friend was selling.  When we were still having Mass, pre-Covid, we had brunch together almost every Sunday and had dinner after Saturday Mass when the choir sang on Saturdays.  On Mondays, I would get calls to meet him at Ivy Cottage to offer an opinion on a piece of art he was going to buy.  I'm going to miss his face and his calls.

Celeste,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother Trent.  I remember my family visiting yours when we were children. Trent was always kind even though I was just a little kid and he was a teenager.  

My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Sincerely,
Angie

I had the privilege of working with Father Trent as the Office Manager at St. Therese for two years. We were both new at St. Therese and I was new as someone working in a church office. He taught me so much and we continued our friendship after my time working at the church was over. The first time we spoke on the phone, I got a glimpse of who he was - funny, private,  devoted to the Eucharist and to our Blessed Mother, devoted to his Mom and to his family.  And could he deliver a homily!  I am deeply saddened by this loss (as are all those he touched) but try to remember some of the things he would say at the end of a funeral: "This is what our faith is all about - this is not an ending for our loved one - this is a new beginning. We know that we will be together again... the love and the memories will never die."  Thank you Father Trent,  you were and are loved and we miss you down here.  These words are not sufficient, but I offer my deepest condolences to his family and to all those who feel this loss.  

Our days and seasons on Oak Island are woven with memories of attending mass at Sacred Heart, Southport, and Father Trent. His enthusiasm for his faith and for life were contagious. He had a gift for making God’s word live long after his sermons. We were so sad when we heard of his death. It was reassuring to know he was in this world. We offer our sympathy to his family, his parish, and his friends. There must be great celebrating in heaven on his arrival. 

Father Trent will be so missed. I’m so sad that you left us at such a young age. I’m a member at St Therese since 2010. When father came to St Therese and told us the story of how Baptist young boy told his mom he wanted to be a catholic, I was so moved. His homilies were the best. Always felt like a hug. You will not be easily replaced.  🙏🏻💕

When we first moved to Southport in December of 2015, the first Mass we attended was on Christmas Eve, and we were very impressed with Fr. Trent.  His homilies were insightful and caring. We often met him at his local "hangout," Local's Diner, where we would share a meal and great discussions.  When he was transferred to St. Theresa's we were sad but knew it would be a good change for him.  It was upsetting when he became ill, but even more heartbreaking that he passed. I'm sure he has been welcomed with loving and open arms by the mom he cherished and the Lord he revered. God bless you, Fr. Trent, and may you rest in peace. 

Wishing you never ending peace Father Trent. You sheparded a loyal following here in the Southport community for so many years. Peace to your family left behind.

Thanks so much for your friendship. Thank you also for your beautiful and thoughtful homilies May Our Lord and Savior welcome you to eternal happiness.

My memories of Trent are not with the church , but with our love of old Hollywood and it’s great actors . I miss those conversations and the excitement we shared in upcoming movie auctions .

I know Trent also love music and the theatre . 

Sending much love and prayers to his sister Celeste and his extended family and friends of the church .

I felt I  was so blessed to be in Fr.Trents company and gave me the opportunity to help at masses.  Then to enjoy his many  gospels.
I'll miss your kindness and joy.    Irene Stein  Mac Cumber Terrace

Our entire staff was so saddened to hear of Trent's passing.  He was a loyal customer at Home Again over the years, and we were happy to work with him, as he was always pleasant and had a wonderful sense of humor. He had in-depth knowledge of  fine furniture, and we would share his delight when he found the perfect piece that he needed to furnish his new home.  We will surely miss seeing Trent 'taking his laps' through the store.  On behalf of our entire staff, please accept our condolences, both to his family and to those he touched in our community.  

I had been a parishioner at St. Therese since 2003. Until our recent move to Oak Ridge, NC. There have been wonderful pastors during those years, all who have passed to a better life - but Fr . Trent was a diamond in the rough.  Fr. Trent’s homilies always pulled you in to the message Fr. Trent was conveying.  I will always cherish my wonderful time as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Therese for 17 years while at St Therese. I recently moved to Oak Ridge, NC but was able to say my heartfelt goodbyes in person behind the masks.  I have such a void in my heart but knowing Father is in a better place and at rest. In my heart forever. Thank you for your love and your profound messages through your homilies.  No one will be able to replace you.

I will miss you Father Trent so very much. I will forever be thankful you were our wonderful, kind, loving pastor. I learned so much from your homilies and I loved your sense of humor. Leaving mass will always be sad for me because you will not be there to say goodbye to until next week. RIP Father Trent, I love you and you will always be in my heart.

I will never forget the beautiful mass Father Trent provided for my sons funeral two years ago.   He comforted me and my family with his words and I will be eternally grateful for that.  The news of his passing is very sad indeed.  Rest in peace Father Trent.......I will miss your wonderful homilies.

After moving to Southport I met Fr Trent at Scared Heart Church.  We became friends & often met at lunch at a local restaurant.  He was a very kind man.  He & my husband John (passed away April 7, 2020) spent time working on the project of a new statue of the Scared Heart for the church. Unfortunately we moved away & missed Fr Trent a great deal. I will truly miss Father.  May he rest in peace. 

Thank you for your dedication to serving our parish at St Therese at Wrightsville Beach and southeastern North Carolina. You are in our prayers.  

To the family of Trent Watts,
Sorry for your loss. Did you know the bible promises that the dead can live again?  Acts 24:15 says "There is going to be a resurrection" God will resurrect the dead soon to perfect health on a Paradise earth. God is not the cause of death (James 1:13). Prayer is important at this time remember that God is close to the brokenhearted: he saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps. 34:18,19  Hope this brings comfort


OBITUARY

Reverend Trent Lawson Watts

August 20, 1953 – January 17, 2021

Peacock, Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service

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