Isabelle Wyatt Ransone Watts

Isabelle Wyatt Ransone Watts, 97, of Buchanan, Va. passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

Mrs. Watts was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Ralph L. (“Doodle”) Watts, Sr., Capt. U.S.A.F. (Ret.); her grandsons Christopher D. MacLeish and Willis R. Watts, Jr.; her parents, William A. (“Will”) Ransone Sr. & Charlotte (“Lottie”) Morris Ransone; her brothers, Toler E. Ransone, Morris A. (“B”) Ransone Sr., William A. (“Willie”) Ransone Jr., Thomas R. (“Tom”) Ransone Sr., Harvey A. Ransone & Willis G. (“Babe”) Ransone Sr.; her sisters, Helen L. Ransone, Margaret R. Hall, Mildred R. Stone, Charlotte R. Roberts, Annie W. Ransone, Florine R. Mountcastle & Mary Bernice (“Teentie”) Ransone; and her nephews, William A. (“Billy”) Ransone III & Morris A. (“Chic”) Ransone, Jr.

Surviving are her son & daughter-in-law, Ralph L. Watts, Jr. & Rebecca S. Watts, Buchanan; son & daughter-in-law, Willis R. Watts, Sr. & Bonnie M. Watts, Cloverdale; daughter & son-in-law Patricia W. & Kenneth Todd Blevins, Purcellville; granddaughter Annette Watts; grandsons Jason Blevins & Brian Blevins; great-granddaughter Madison MacLeish & great-grandson Jake MacLeish; and cherished niece Kitty Sue Booze.

She is also survived by her beloved nephews and nieces, Judith R. Michaelsen, Florine R. Lewis, Deborah M. Lotz, Sonia M. Barnes, Cindy A. Thomas, Beth R. Lipes, Thomas R. Ransone Jr., Rebecca R. Hutchison & Willis G. (“Ranse”) Ransone Jr.; numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins & many friends. The family would like to thank her caregivers & ProMedica Hospice.

Isabelle was born in the Ransone home on Boyd Street in Buchanan, the second youngest of 14 children. She graduated from Buchanan High School & attended Longwood College before marrying the love of her life in 1945. She & Doodle moved to California, where they welcomed baby Ralph later that year. The family was subsequently stationed at military bases across the U.S. & in Puerto Rico, before returning to make their home in Buchanan. After Willis & Pat were born, Isabelle worked for the U.S. Census Bureau for many years until her retirement. She took great pride in her work there as well as in the jobs she had held at the many military bases at which Doodle was stationed. After her retirement, Isabelle enjoyed researching family history with her dear sister, Annie, and spending time with her beloved grandchildren.

Mrs. Watts was a lifelong member of the Buchanan Baptist Church, served as the church librarian & was a member of the Hazel Moon Circle. Active in the church’s mission work, she particularly enjoyed the time she spent reading to children on multiple trips to reservations in the Dakotas. She was a member of the Buchanan Town Improvement Society, the Buchanan Volunteer Rescue Squad & the Ladies’ Auxiliary. Isabelle & Doodle also enjoyed their daily “coffee club” meetings with their friends at Ransone’s Drugstore.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Lee Highway, Buchanan. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the Buchanan Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Woody & Rev. Daryl Naff officiating. Interment will be on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Fairview Cemetery at 11 am in Buchanan. Arrangements by Botetourt Funeral Home, 540-254-3000.

COMMITTAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 11AM SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2023 IN THE PAVILION AT FAIRVIEW CEMETERY.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Buchanan Baptist Church (P.O. Box 537, Buchanan, VA 24066) or to the Fairview Cemetery Association, Inc. (P.O. Box 533, Buchanan, VA 24066).