BETTY ANDERSON ATWATER                                                    July 22, 1926 -April 28, 2026

Betty Anderson Atwater passed away at Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation and marched right into Heaven on April 28, 2026. She was 99 years old.

Betty was born in Burke County on July 22, 1926 to the late Henry McLean Anderson, Sr. and Sudie Alexander Anderson.

Preceding her in death was her husband and high school sweetheart, F. Kent Atwater, oldest daughter, Susan Annas and son-in-law, Robert Annas, and son-in-law, James E. Davis. In addition, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Henry Anderson, Jr, (Joyce) and Thomas Anderson (Louise), brothers-in-law, Alfred S. Atwater, (Helen), and William F. Atwater, (Dorothy). Betty loved and enjoyed a gang of nieces and nephews.

Betty was a proud graduate of Granite Falls High School and Clevenger's Business School. She served as a career-long administrative assistant. Her most favored position was serving and retiring with the North Carolina Forest Service.

Along with work responsibilities, Betty enjoyed a lifetime of serving her church, hosting family get-togethers, learning crafts and traveling. She was a master gardener and filled her yard with every flower and tree known to mankind. Her specialty was producing and sharing fine hybrid tea roses. When not in the gardens, she enjoyed sewing, knitting and quilting. She shared her skills by knitting prayer shawls and caps for First United Methodist Church of Lenoir. Quilting was the favorite of her many artistic endeavors and she created lovely spreads, throws, wall hangings and any cloth article that could be quilted. She enjoyed quilting groups and was always seeking a new project.

Betty is survived by her children, Debbie Mason (Jack), Hudson, NC, Linda Davis, Lenoir; grandchildren, Kent Annas, Lenoir, NC, Adam Davis, (Erin), Bethlehem, NC, Peggy Wise, (Jesse), Lenoir, NC; and great-grandchildren, Kennedy Wise, Avery Wise and Skyler Davis. Betty also loved her adopted daughter/care-giver,  Carolann Coffey. And finally, she loved her fur-family members, Alice, several collie dogs and her latest, Max.

Betty lived a full life until she suffered a fall in 2013 that placed her in the care of her family. She experienced many health trials during these years, but she always demonstrated great faith and quiet resilience.

The family would like to recognize and thank the team of caregivers from Amorem and the caregivers from Hickory Falls Health & Rehabilitation for their love and care of Mom.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Lenoir on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM with Reverend Dr. Dave Melton officiating. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to celebrate Betty's life may be made to: First United Methodist Church, 309 Church Street, Lenoir, NC.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Atwater family.