Betty Jean Merriman, 62, of Lanexa, Virginia, was called home to heaven in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 30, 2026.
She was born on September 28, 1963 in Bryson City, North Carolina, to the late Emmitt and Hazel Wiggins. In addition to her parents, waiting to meet her in heaven were her much-loved husband Tony Merriman, her brother, Larry Wiggins, and her sister, Kathy Wiggins.
Betty is survived by her only daughter Leah Dawn (Ayers) Cole (Kevin) of Bryson City, and her granddaughter Kaitlin Anthony, also of Bryson City; her sister Ann (Wiggins) Cochran, a sister-in-law Pansie Wiggins (Larry); her nieces and nephews: Heather Allen (Leon), Brandon Wiggins (Angela), Donna Pledger (Gene), Lisa Hornsby (Roger), and Scott Cochran (Anna); multiple great nieces and nephews; and a wonderful group of very special cousins.
Over her years on this earth, Betty worked many jobs – and worked them all well, quickly making numerous friends who became like family, and would never forget her strong, loving, bubbly personality. In her most recent years she took great pride and joy in serving the community at her beloved Wawa in Williamsburg.
A Service of Memories will be held at Bucktrout Funeral home on Thursday, September 3rd at 1:00 p.m., and a Celebration of Betty’s Life will follow at a later date in Bryson City, where the Great Smoky Mountains will surely be waiting to welcome her home.
