Bernadette Michelle Watts, 57, of Lynchburg, VA departed this life peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, May 21, 2026. She was born on August 23, 1968 in New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her father, Deacon Bernard E. Watts; paternal grandparents, Gilbert and Geneva Watts; maternal grandparents, Frank and Frances Miller; aunts, Joyce Love, Maxine Morton and Loretta Miller; uncles, Curtis Watts, Kevin Miller, James L. Miller Sr. and Frank N. Miller; and her fiancé, Tony Booth.

Bernadette joined Holcomb Rock Baptist Church at an early age. She was a woman of strong faith. Bernadette was a loving mother to her son, Zach whom she loved dearly. Having a beautiful spirit, Bernadette always had a smile on her face and a great love for her family.

Bernadette was a graduate of Jefferson Forest High School and Central Virginia Community College. Later, she was employed by the Department of Social Services for twenty-five years.

She is survived by her loving and devoted son, Zachary B. Watts; her devoted, dedicated and loving mother, Deaconess Irene M. Watts; and her loving and devoted sister Constance "Connie" Watts; aunts: her godmother, Dorothy Polk, Georgia Spinner, Blanche Harris (Johnnie), Debra Clark (Frank) and DeDe Williams; uncles, Donald Miller (Jacqueline) and Ronnie Miller; her godsister, Tracy Miller-Goode (Thomas). She also leaves behind numerous cousins, other relatives and friends.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

trusting that he will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

so that I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

forever and ever in the next.

Amen.