Velma Watts Butler

Velma Watts Watson Butler, 80, of Rockingham, died Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at Morrison Manor in Laurinburg. Mrs. Butler was born May 1, 1932 in Richmond County, a daughter of the late Grayer H and Thelma Jones Watts. She was a member of the Rockingham Church of God of Prophecy and had worked for Carolina Paper Mill for nearly 40 years and Imperial Foods. She was preceded in death by her husbands, James A. Watson and Pete Butler; brother and sisters, Levy Watts, Virginia Dunn and Vonnie Hines. Surviving are a son, Richard Watson and wife Norma of Rockingham; daughters, Brenda Suggs and husband John of Hamlet, Barbara Clark and husband Ronald of Rockingham, Patricia Shephard and husband David of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Tammy Gibson, Tabatha Dozier, Mitchell Watson, Kevin Watson, Ben Watson, Naomi Shephard, Amanda Cipriani, Cathy McGee, Lonnie Hatchell, Russell Hatchell, Phyllis Cobler, John Suggs, Jr., Jonie Lear, Ronald Clark, Jr., Mark Shephard, Yvonne Hatcher and Jane Patterson; thirty-two great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; brothers, Norman Watts and wife Bea of Valdosta, GA Willie Watts and wife Eva of Rockingham and sister, Dot Wiggins and husband Bobby of Rockingham. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday at the Rockingham Church of God of Prophecy with Pastor Steve Gilmer, Rev. Brooks Gale, and Rev. Roger Webster officiating. Interment will follow in Richmond County Memorial Park. The family will see friends from 6 to 8 pm Friday at Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham and at other times at the Clark home, 102 Woodfield Dr. (Meadowwood) , Rockingham. Memorials may be made to Morrison Manor, P.O.Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353.