Mrs. Naomi Etheleen Barnes Watts, 85, of Lumberton, NC, passed away Monday April 4, 2022, at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton, NC. She was born in Robeson County, NC on November 9, 1936 to the late Howard Reedy Barnes and the late Ethel Mae Smith Barnes.

Along with her parents, Mrs. Watts was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Howard Watts; four brothers, James P. Barnes, Henry Barnes, Smithy Barnes, and Maurice Barnes; four sisters, Beulah Davis, Mary Swears, Christine Thompson, and Shelby Roberts; a son, Franklin Thomas Barnes; and a daughter, Janet Leigh Nye.

She was a faithful employee at Converse, Inc. for 40 years, being the second employee hired when the establishment first opened in Robeson County. She then spent her latter years working in the cafeteria at Rowland-Norment Elementary School, where she loved talking with the children and the company and laughter of her coworkers.

She was a faithful member of Antioch Baptist Church and loved singing in the choir and the love of her Sunday school class. Her greatest joy in life was her family! She enjoyed her phone conversations with her brothers and the sharing of old memories whenever they were near. She found so much joy in her children and grandchildren and loved to watch her grandchildren play any type of ball. Above all her greatest joy was found in her great-grandchildren, there was nothing better in this world.

She is survived by her son, William "Bill" Howard Watts Jr. and wife Kathy of Charleston, SC; a daughter, Lynn Watts Meroney of Lumberton, NC; six grandchildren: Kenny Meroney and wife Becca and Lindsay Meroney, all of Lumberton, NC, Dustin Gregg and Jamie Gregg and wife Jessica, all of Charleston, SC, Jennifer Barnes McLean and husband Jeremy McLean of Clayton, NC, and Joshua Barnes of Florida; five great-grandchildren: Jude, Shane, Lincoln, Landon, and Silas; and two brothers, Rev. Thomas Barnes of Midlothian, VA and Clinton Barnes of Beaufort, NC.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 E. 5 ^th Street in Lumberton, NC.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Antioch Baptist Church, 5089 Old Whiteville Road in Lumberton, NC, with Rev. Mark Meadows officiating. Burial will follow at Floyd Memory Gardens, 3720 Old Whiteville Road in Lumberton, NC.