Betty Leatherman Ross, age 96, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026, at Autumn Care of Waynesville, North Carolina. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Betty, lived a life marked by deep faith and commitment to serving others.

Born on November 6, 1929, in Cowee, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Nancy and Solomon Leatherman. She cherished childhood memories of her siblings, Claude Leatherman, Annie Dee Smith and Dorothy Bradley. She enjoyed sharing stories of farm life on the Little Tennessee River. Betty graduated from Mars Hill College and pursued a career in banking.

She loved her church and many friends, but her greatest love was her family. She is lovingly remembered by two sons, Reverend Dr. Bill Ross and his wife, Penny Morrison-Ross of Marietta, Georgia, and Jack Ross, and his wife, Beth Holmes, of Canton, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Will Ross, Shea Ross-Smith and her husband John, Jacob Ross and his wife, Merri Cameron, Russell Tyler Ross, and his wife, Alex, and Carl Elwell; and great grandchildren, Jackson Ross Smith, Mary Ellis Smith, John Leatherman Smith, Jacob Ellett Ross, Evie Lou Ross and Russell Logan Ross. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, whom she adored. Betty now joins her husband of 70 years, Bill Ross, in the arms of Jesus.

Betty was the consummate prayer warrior and communicator through cards, phone calls, and visits. Many were gifted with her delicious chocolate chip cookies and her signature chocolate pie. Betty was a 60-year member of First Baptist Church, Waynesville, where she taught Sunday School, served on various committees and was a faithful leader in the Women’s Prayer Ministry. She loved Thanksgiving, college basketball, shopping for antiques and making her home warm and welcoming for all.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, January 30th, at 11:00am in the chapel at First Baptist Church in Waynesville, North Carolina. The family will receive friends at 10:00am. A private graveside service will follow at Shepherd Cemetery in Cowee, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Waynesville, 100 S. Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Ms. Ross has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville