Isabelle Wyatt Ransone Watts, 97, of Buchanan 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.; parents, William A. (“Will”) Ransone Sr. and Charlotte (“Lottie”) Morris Ransone; brothers, Toler E. Ransone, Morris A. (“B”) Ransone Sr., William A. (“Willie”) Ransone Jr., Thomas R. (“Tom”) Ransone Sr., Harvey A. Ransone and Willis G. (“Babe”) Ransone Sr.; sisters, Helen L. Ransone, Margaret R. Hall, Mildred R. Stone, Charlotte R. Roberts, Annie W. Ransone, Florine R. Mountcastle and Mary Bernice (“Teentie”) Ransone; and nephews, William A. (“Billy”) Ransone III and Morris A. (“Chic”) Ransone Jr.
Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Ralph L. Watts Jr. and Rebecca S. Watts, Buchanan; son and daughter-in-law, Willis R. Watts Sr. and Bonnie M. Watts, Cloverdale; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia W. and Kenneth Todd Blevins, Purcellville; granddaughter, Annette Watts; grandsons, Jason Blevins and Brian Blevins; great-granddaughter,Madison MacLeish, and 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 and Willis G. (“Ranse”) Ransone Jr.; numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins and many friends. The family would like to thank her caregivers and 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 and attended Longwood College before marrying the love of her life in 1945. She and Doodle moved to California, where they welcomed baby Ralph later that year. The family was subsequently stationed at military bases across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico before returning to make their home in Buchanan. After Willis and 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 and 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 and the Ladies’ Auxiliary. Isabelle and Doodle also enjoyed their daily “coffee club” meetings with their friends at Ransone’s Drugstore.
The family received friends on Saturday, February 11, 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, at the Buchanan Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Woody and Rev. Daryl Naff officiating. Interment was in Fairview Cemetery in Buchanan.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Buchanan Baptist Church (P.O. Box 537, Buchanan, 24066) or to the Fairview Cemetery Association Inc. (P.O. Box 533, Buchanan, 24066).
