Elva Mertens Watkins

ASHEVILLE Sue Elva Brown Mertens Watkins, 83, of 650 Caribou Road went to be with the Lord Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. A native and resident most of life of Buncombe County, she retired in 1976 from Bucks Restaurant and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. After moving to Asheville Terrace Apts in 1984, where she once lived, and having multiple illnesses, Elva became involved in Buncombe County Senior games. She qualified to go to state games in Raleigh for years and won several medals. Her most favorite was a trophy for Best Athlete in Asheville City Senior Softball League in 1985. Elva enjoyed doing things for her family and everyone knew of her great love for her grandchildren. Mrs. Watkins was the daughter of the late Troy Arthur Brown and Sarah Frances Mears Brown and the wife of Herbert Lee Mertens who died in March of 1997 and Paul Lee Watkins who died in November of 1982. She was also preceded in death by her son, Arthur Keith Mertens who died in July of 1996 and brothers, Russell Brown, Herschel Brown and Clifford Brown. Surviving are her sons, Ronald Lee Ron Mertens and wife Becky and Kenneth Ken Mertens all of Candler; daughter, Karen Mertens Vance of Shelby; grandchildren, Jeremy Rector & Jessica Rector of Candler, Tristan Cameron of Shelby and Blair, Ali & Cameron Mertens of Candler and great-granddaughter, Kindyll Rector. Memorial services will be held 2 P.M. Thursday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen officiating. Burial will be in Grace UMC Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 P.M. Thursday prior to services at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank Asheville Pulmonary, Asheville Cardiology and Asheville Family Health for their love and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Grace United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o John Towles, 40 Hayes Cove Road, Leicester, NC 28748.