Watson, Betty Gertrude Smith

Betty Gertrude Smith Watson, 84, formerly of Allisonia, Va., passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, in the Pulaski Health Care Center. Born on January 31, 1926, in Allisonia, Va., she was the daughter of the late William Smith and Laura Frances Warden Smith. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, James W. Watson; and a number of sisters and brothers.

Surviving are numerous nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grand-nephews; and special friends, Rochelle and Curtis Smythers and Ed and Robin Sykes, all of Allisonia.

She was a member of the Farris Mines Christian Church where she served as a past chaplain of the Ladies Auxiliary. She was the first to receive an award from the Pulaski County Agency on Aging and she was recognized as being one of the first “Home Town Heroes” in our community.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, March 5, 2010, in the Bower Funeral Home Chapel, Pulaski with the Rev. Dennis Trail and the Rev. Frankie Graham officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, March 4, 2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski.

Per Mrs. Watson’s request, instead of sending flowers, please help or give to the residents of Fairview Home and residents of local nursing homes as she had done for many years.

To send online messages of condolence to the family, please visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com

A luncheon will be served immediately following the services at the Hiwassee Fire Department in memory of Betty Watson. Her family, friends and everyone in the community is cordially invited to join us in remembering this special lady.

Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va., is handling the arrangements.