Mona Herbert Watters, 69, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and close friends on March 27, 2025 at Transitions LifeCare Hospice House. She fought an incredibly brave and unwavering battle with cancer, demonstrating remarkable strength, resilience, and courage throughout her journey. Despite the challenges, she faced each day with grace and determination, inspiring all who knew her.

Mona was born December 1, 1955 to the late John Glenn Herbert and Sylvia Carter Herbert in Raleigh, NC. She attended Sanderson High School of Raleigh, NC prior to earning two Associate Degrees in Nursing and Radiologic Technology. Mona achieved Dean’s List every semester and was elected Most Outstanding Student in Clinical Performance. She was born to be a nurse as she had a true servant’s heart and a passion for caring for others.

After starting her career in Radiology and working with children at Cary Pediatrics, she shifted her career to specialize in Oncology. Mona led the Rex Healthcare Day Treatment Cancer Unit for 18 years. In 2005, she helped start the Medical Hematology Oncology Practice at Rex Hospital where she was the Clinical Manager until her retirement. Throughout her career, Mona consistently received awards as the Top-Scorer in Patient Satisfaction for Rex Healthcare and won the Excellence Award at Rex Healthcare.

Mona served others with unwavering compassion and expertise. She was known for having a calming presence, a heart full of kindness, and a gentle touch that made every patient feel at ease. Her natural gift was always serving people which was exemplified through mentoring many others in the healthcare profession, sharing her wisdom and experience that she gained from over her 40 years of dedicated service. Mona was conscientious in serving her patients with dignity, respect, and true compassion.

Mona was an incredible mother to her two daughters, Amy and Whitney. She had a way of making every day feel special and filled with love. Her warmth was constant – whether it was through her gentle touch, her encouraging words, or the way she listened to them with such care. She made even the smallest moments feel significant, always showing up with a smile, a hug, or an act of kindness that reminded them how valued they were. With her, they never felt alone. She had the amazing ability to make them feel like the most important people in the world, every single day.

The light of Mona’s eye was her granddaughter, Harper, who was her whole world. Harper and Mona had a very special relationship and Harper will greatly miss her Momo.

Her legacy will impact her family and friends for generations to come. She had an infectious spirit and ability to make even the most ordinary moment extraordinary. She had a knack for finding fun in everything, especially holidays with her extreme attention to detail and gift giving. Life will go on but will never be the same without you, Mo.

She is survived by her husband, Ward Emerson Bennett, daughter Whitney Watters McCarty (Steven), granddaughter Harper Elizabeth McCarty, mother Sylvia Carter Herbert, sisters Michelle Herbert King and Melissa Herbert Simpson, sister-in-law Ann Watters Matteson (Glenn) all of Raleigh.

Nieces Anna Hsia Calci (Pete), Carter Wray Simpson, Sarah McKinney Simpson, Dorothy Matteson Pierce (Jason), and Margaret Matteson Richards (Greer). Nephew John William Pride Simpson.

She is preceded in death by her father John Glenn Herbert, and her beloved daughter Amy Lauren Watters.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to so many of Mona’s friends who showed incredible love and genuine support during this hardship. Your love, support, encouragement, and prayers are what helped get her through her darkest days. We will always, always remember your love, kindness and unwavering support.

To celebrate Mona’s life, the family will have a Visitation on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 PM at Renaissance Funeral Home ~ 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC & a Celebration of Life Service on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM ~ Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Hospice – Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

www.transitionslifecare.org/donate