Bette Ann Watkins

Bette Ann Watkins (Lax), passed away peacefully on August 9, 2023. She was proceeded in death by mother Thelma Lax, father Edgar Lax, husbands Everett Watkins and Phillip Merklin, sister Nancy Gomes (Lax), brother Bill Lax, children Rick Watkins & Pamela Cochrane, as well as son-in-law James (Sham)Cochrane.

She is survived by her son Raymond Watkins, daughters Timmi Elcock (Merklin) & Ann Tonini (Merklin), grandchildren Gerald (Skip) Hunter, Kristie Stogner (Cochrane), Corey Cochrane, Rodney, Roland, Reanna & Randy Watkins, Timothy, Chris & Andrew Tonini, Nicholas & Tyson Elcock, Christi Smith (Elcock), daughter-in-laws Lin Watkins & Gwynn Watkins, son-in-laws David Tonini & Kevin Elcock, and great-grandchildren Treven & Tyler Hunter, Arianna Cochrane, Chiara, Cameron & Cayden Stogner, Sophia, Jacob, Nicholas, Charlotte, Grace & Madeline Tonini, Charlotte, Erikson, Beckett & Hayes Elcock, Lucca, Capri & Micah Smith, and nephews Kevin, Don & Ron Gomes.

Bette is beloved by her family. She had a profound impact on all of them, all the way down to her great-grandchildren. She was the matriarch, the glue that held them together and brought them together year after year. Making Christmas extra special, she would bring her family together every year in Mt. Shasta to play in the snow, cook too much food, and when possible, play golf. She had a joy of music that she was happy to share with her family, playing alongside her grandkids and, in her later years, watching her great-grandchildren fumble along the keys of her piano trying to play music by ear. She shared stories of playing cornet in an all-girls band, made sure to always have frozen cookie dough in the freezer, and even made extra pumpkin pie filling for her grandson whose favorite food it was.

Bette expressed her love in many ways, but most importantly through food. An incredible cook, her family still has countless memories of her in the kitchen teaching her recipes to whoever wanted to learn, handing out recipe cards to anyone that asked, and serving orange juice for breakfast. Recruiting the best stomper in the family for the “Bread Crumb Stomp” challenge made for the most entertaining way anyone has seen stuffing being made.

Bette was passionate about gardening, growing an amazing assortment of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and trees, making her yard look as if it was on the cover of a magazine, even winning a National Wildlife Federation award as a National Wildlife Backyard Habitat. She would sit outside in the warmth of the sun, watching hummingbirds zoom by or deer graze on her lawns, occasionally getting to see the local bear wander through looking for berries or mushrooms to eat along the creek that split her property.

Her unwaning love of plants made her yard easily one of her family’s happy places, always looking forward to visiting and exploring. Bette loved traveling, having been blessed to visit Hawaii countless times, Australia, Europe, Asia, and Tahiti. Even took a granddaughter on a cruise to Alaska to celebrate graduating eighth grade. Too many destinations to keep track of. Many of her favorite trips were spent with her dear friend Caroline Corning, which made her trips all the more memorable. She always made sure to bring home coins and bills from the countries she visited to share with her grandkids, instilling in them the desire to venture out and see the world.

A private family service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park on Thursday, August 17 at 11:00 am.

Donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital, or the Humboldt Botanical Garden.