Marietta “Mert” Gates Watson was born in Lee County, Virginia on May 25, 1930. She entered Heaven’s gates on June 24, 2018. Marietta passed away peacefully while at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Worth and Sherry Watson, in LaGrange, KY under the care of Hosparus of Louisville. Marietta was the daughter of Olin George and Lucille P. Gates. She was united in marriage to George Worth Watson, Jr. on September 25, 1950 in Sanford, North Carolina. He preceded her in death on January… Read More » 18, 2000. Marietta always valued education and was recognized as the Class Valedictorian of her class at Goldston High School in Goldston, NC. Class Valedictorian was a feat she repeated at Campbell College in Buies Creek, NC. She was also honored by Campbell College in 1977 as a Distinguished Alumnus. She also graduated from the NC School of Banking at UNC in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the Graduate School for Bank Administration at University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. Her career in banking began in 1951 at the Peoples Bank of Mullens, WV. She joined Central Bank and Trust Co. (later The Carolina Bank, now BB&T) in October of 1954 and advanced in her 30 years there to Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. In 1984, she took the Senior Vice President position with First Federal Savings and Loan Association in Raleigh, NC where she remained until 1992 when she took a position as the Senior Banking Consultant with AFS Consulting Group in Sanford where she remained until 2004. Wanting to stay busy, she took a position with Advanced Hearing Care until she officially retired and moved to Kentucky to be closer to her son and his wife. Her civic involvement was as stellar as her academic and professional career. She served on many boards and organizations in Lee County, NC, including being appointed to the first Lee County Parks and Recreation Commission in 1972. In 1980, she was elected the Southeastern Regional Vice President of the National Association of Bank Women and in 1990 elected as the State President of the North Carolina Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club Inc. Mert’s most enthusiastic passion, other than her Christian walk, was rooting for her beloved Duke Blue Devils. She was a charter member of the Iron Dukes and still purchased season basketball tickets every year. From planning bus trips to attending college football games and enjoying ACC basketball, she was a true sports fan who was always “had the game on” and knew the score. Mert was also very involved and active with Shallow Well United Church of Christ, serving on multiple boards and committees as well as teaching Sunday School. In August of 2005, she sat at the Table of Elizabeth in the Heart of Carolina Walk to Emmaus #81. After moving to Kentucky, she found a church home at Phos Community Church where she continued to exemplify what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ through service and love. Like her savior, Mert befriended all and showed love to everyone. She truly believed everyone could “come as they are” not only in their personal relationship with Christ, but in attending church services as well. All were welcomed and she was at the front ready to great them. Regardless of their past or what they were wearing, she was ready with a hug; ready to share Christ’s love. She loved people and loved visiting with them. It was one of her final wishes that people who plan to visit the funeral home or attend her services be told to “come as you are.” Be it in a dress, three piece suit, pants and blouse, khakis and a polo shirt, or even blue jeans and a tee shirt, feel free to just come and spend a few minutes with her family and remember her. She is survived by her son and his wife, Worth and Sherry Watson, LaGrange, KY; a grandchild, Stacey Hohl, Louisville, KY; 1 sister, Eileen (Ben) Selvey, Radford, VA; 2 nephews, Benny (Debbie) Selvey and Richard Selvey; and 1 niece Paige (Jan) Selvey. The immediate family will be visiting with friends and other family members at Miller Boles Funeral Home, 1150 Fire Tower Road, Sanford NC 27330 on Friday, June 29 beginning at 6:00 PM. The funeral service will be at Shallow Well Church, 1220 Broadway Road, Sanford NC 27332 on Saturday, June 30 at 11:00 AM with both Rev. Donald Thompson and Pastor Jeff Fuson officiating. Burial will follow at Shallow Well Cemetery. In addition, there will be a Celebration of Life Service at Phos Community Church, 4200 Centerfield Drive, Crestwood KY 40014 on Saturday, July 7 at 11:00 AM. While no funeral is complete without beautiful flowers and they would be appreciated, instead, please consider making a donation to Phos Community Church (PO Box 333, Buckner KY 40010), Shallow Well Church (1220 Broadway Road, Sanford NC 27332), or Hosparus Health (PO Box 35425, Louisville KY 40232).
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marietta Mert Gates Watson 2018. Miller-Boles Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Sanford, state: North Carolina