Nearly six months after her husband died, Rosa Lee Carlton Watson, wife of legendary guitarist Arthel ‘Doc’ Watson, died Thursday at age 81. The Watson family gathered yesterday for the funeral at Laurel Springs Baptist Church to say their goodbyes. Doc and Rosa Lee Watson married in 1947, creating a musical partnership that led to a family of musicians that continue the family tradition, Rosa Lee sometimes performing with Doc, co-writing “Your Long Journey,” featured on the Grammy Award-winning album “Raising Sand” by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Rosa Lee and Doc were married almost 66 years until he died this past May 29. The Watsons had two children: Nancy Ellen Watson, who still lives in Deep Gap, and Eddy Merle Watson, who died in 1985 at age 36, and for whom Merlefest is named, the annual music festival in Wilkesboro.

(Photo: Hampton Funeral Service)