Alethia Lynn Belcher

Alethia Lynn Belcher, 81 of Jefferson City, passed away peacefully after a lingering illness Saturday July 11,2026. She was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia to Albertine and Warren Watkins. After marrying and relocating to Michigan, Alethia was employed in the office of the Director of Plans at Selfridge Air Force Base. She received awards for outstanding performance in every aspect of her duties along with a letter from the base commander for her high standard of service.

After a move to East Tennessee, she was State Editor of the Citizen Tribune in Morristown, Tennessee. She was a lifelong animal lover with a special place in her heart for horses and big dogs. She also loved gardening and good food.

Alethia is survived by two daughters and their partners Elizabeth Morgan and Doug Bare and Krista Raper and William Derwin. Five grandchildren Devon Morgan and her partner Ian Quilliams, Hunter Stapleton and her husband, Gabe, Ethan Bloomer and his partner, Jess Bennett, Connor Bunch, Cannon Bunch and his partner Lainey Epling. And two great grandchildren, Henry and Blake Stapleton. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, William Lewis Belcher, her mother and father, Albertine and Warren Watkins, her grandmother, Maudella Hughes, her brother and sister, Gary Watkins and Belinda Collier.

At Alethia’s request, there will be no services. She will be interred next to her husband at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN