Larry Stith was married to former American Broadway actress and singer Jane Morgan for a few years, but in his own right, he was a renowned singer and composer who founded the Carteret Chorale in North Carolina, where he was born and raised. Apart from his contributions to the Chorale, he wrote songs for famous singers like Liza Minnelli, Gene Stridell, and his ex-wife, Jane.
He died in February 2017 at 83, survived by his wife Jean Lamm Ward Stith, his daughter Jeanna Ward Evans, his son Richard Kermit Ward, and his grandchildren. Here’s what we’ve gathered about Stith, whose compositions include One Summer Love (1963) and It’s Just a Matter of Time (1973).
Larry Stith hails from New Bern, North Carolina
Laurence Augustine Stith Jr., better known as Larry Stith, was born on March 20, 1933, in New Bern, North Carolina. His parents, Laurence Augustine Sr. and Lillian Foy Stith welcomed him as their firstborn son. Six years later, they had another son, Francis Blackwell “Blackie” Stith Sr., who was born on February 10, 1939.
Little is known about his childhood in New Bern, except that he had a passion for music. He pursued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later at the prestigious Julliard School in New York. There, he had the opportunity to work on the music production of The Perry Como Show.
Sadly, Larry outlived his entire family. His father died in 1987, followed by his mother in 2004 and his brother in 2015.
He Got Married to Jane Morgan in 1959 and Divorced a Few Years Later
Larry Stith and Jane Morgan got married on September 2, 1959, in his hometown, New Bern, North Carolina. Even though there are details of how the two met or how long they dated before the marriage, they did work together as partners.
A few years later, they got divorced. At the moment, there is no confirmation of the actual date of the divorce, as sources come up with different dates, with some citing 1962 and others indicating 1964. What remains clear is the fact that they didn’t have children together.
After the divorce, Jane married Jerry Weintraub in 1965 and remained with him until his passing in July 2015.
Stith, on the other hand, got married to Jean Lamm Ward Stith, but the date of the wedding is not known. He shared two children with her: a daughter named Jeanna Ward Evans and a son named Richard Kermit Ward.
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A Look At His Career
Larry Stith was a prolific songwriter who collaborated with many famous singers in his career. His involvement with various choral groups also gave him the chance to see the world.
Some of his notable compositions include One Summer Love (1963), It’s a Matter of Time, and Maybe Soon (1973), which were sung by Liza Minnelli, and Every Time is the First Time, which was performed by Arthur Prysock. He also worked closely with the John Cacavas Singers, Gene Stridell, and Jane Morgan, who became his spouse and later his ex-wife.
In addition to these singers, he conducted and accompanied John Gray, Mimi Benzell of the Metropolitan Opera Company, Andy Griffith, Ray Bolger, and Rosemary Kuhlmann of the New York City Opera Company.
That’s not all; his talents carried him to the high seas, where he sailed and sang on cruise ships, traversing the world’s oceans, from the West Indies to Europe, South America, and the Mediterranean. His musical journey extended to the military, where he entertained troops at Strategic Air Command bases in Greenland, Labrador, and Newfoundland for the United States Organization (USO).
With an unwavering passion for music, he founded the Carteret Chorale and sang for audiences across the United States for over three decades. Some of the cities the chorale visited include Williamsburg, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina, Washington, DC, and New York.
His dedication to music education spanned two decades as the Cultural Arts Supervisor at the Carteret County Public School Central Office. He also shared his love for music as a choirmaster and organist at the First United Methodist Church in Morehead City and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. In 2013, he gracefully stepped off the stage, leaving behind a legacy of musical excellence.
He Died At The Age Of 83, As The Last Surviving Member Of His Family
Larry Stith passed away on February 22, 2017, at the age of 83, at Carteret Health Center. He was the last of his family, as he had lost his father, mother, and younger brother in 1987, 2004, and 2015, respectively.
At the time of his death, he left behind his wife, Jean Lamm Ward Stith; his daughter, Jeanna Ward Evans; his son, Richard Kermit Ward; and his four grandchildren, Elizabeth Evans, Katherine Evans, Buxton Ward, and Eliza Paisley Ward.
