Mrs. Mary Idella Waters

LAKELAND - Mrs. Mary idella Waters, 84, passed away Monday, December 3, 2018 in Lutz, FL. Mrs. Waters was born September 15, 1934 in Adrien, GA and was a longtime resident of Lakeland, where she was the last surviving member of the charter group for the Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland. Mrs. Waters received her teaching degree from Travecca Nazarene University in Nashvile, TN and also graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland. She was a retired school teacher for Winston Elementary in Lakeland and also owned a daycare center, where she mentored many children through the years. Mrs. Waters was very involved as a member of the Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene, where she was a Sunday School Teacher, sang in the church choir, and also held many other positions wherever she was able to serve in the church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther Henry Watkins and Ollie Lavender Watkins; husband, Raymond E. Waters; brothers, Walter Watkins and Ed Watkins; sister, Berniece Odom.

She is survived by her son, Rodney Waters, Lutz, FL, and daughters, Kristian Waters, Fort Meade, FL, and Melissa Turner, Wauchula, FL; grandchildren, James Turner, Timothy Turner, Mark Turner, Jessica Turner, Nathan Turner, and Lindsey Waters; great-grandchildren, Logan, Jason and Abigail.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 7, 2018 at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 E. Broadway, Fort Meade. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 8, 2018 in the funeral home chapel with Pastor John Betz officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 33841