Merle Elizabeth (Betty) LaRew Watts, 82, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Wayne UNC Health Care in Goldsboro, N.C.

Betty was born in Lexington on October 13, 1938 to the late Leonard Merle LaRew and Elizabeth McCormick LaRew.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Jesse "Randy" Randolph Watts.

Betty was the rock of her family. Her husband and children knew that she loved them with all her heart and truly was a blessing to them.

She was a member of Freedom Baptist Church.

A service to celebrate Betty's life will be held at noon on Tuesday, December 22 in the Fort Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg. The family will greet friends following the service at the cemetery.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Susan McKnight of Goldsboro and Sandy Watts of Wagener, SC; grandsons, Daniel McKnight and wife, Karen, and Michael McKnight and partner, Ariel Zelaya; great-granddaughters, Ellie, Abbie, Katie and Charlie McKnight; sister, Jane Shafer of Natural Bridge, VA; and several nieces and nephews she loved very much.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, David McKnight; sister, Annette Irvine; and brother, Tommy LaRew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Betty's memory to Freedom Baptist Church, 300 Country Day Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.