I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest”
On Saturday, January 11, 2020, God in His infinite wisdom called his faithful servant, Barbara Ann Waters, 73, home. She quietly departed this life at the R Adams Crowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Barbara Ann Thorpe was born December 30, 1946 to the late Robert Thorpe, Sr. and the late Ilene Whittington in Marion Station, Maryland.
Barbara was educated in Marion Station and later moved to Philadelphia, PA to continue her education. She was raised by John and Nettie Whittington whom she affectionately called mom and dad. They moved back to Marion Station some years later where she completed her education and graduated from Carter G. Woodson.
She was joined in holy matrimony to her high school sweetheart, Donald Lee Waters, Sr. in July 1966 where they shared 54 years of union. From that union, she had three boys, Donald Lee Waters, Jr., Bryant Anthony Waters and Ryan Fredrick Waters.
Barbara accepted Christ at an early age at Great St. Luke Baptist Church in Philadelphia. She became a member at John Wesley Church where she loved attending services. She loved listening to the St. John Wesley Men’s Choir and enjoyed traveling with the choir going to different places, especially returning to Philadelphia. Barbara also loved and loved listening to all the ladies of The Voices of The Hill sing. She was also a devoted member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Walter Polk American Legion Post #132 in Princess, Maryland.
Barbara loved to dance, listen to music, laugh and cut up with family and friends. She especially loved talking on the phone which was her greatest joy. She would call three, four or five times until she spoke with you.
Barbara held numerous jobs, most notable McCready Nursing Home and UMES.
Her family meant everything to her. She was very family oriented; she loved being around her sisters, brothers, nephews and nieces. Her grandchildren could do no wrong. The most important part of her life was, as she so affectionately called them, “HER BOYS”. No one could ever say a bad thing about them to her because she didn’t want to hear it. She would get on them but no one else could. She would tell you, “I born and raised them no one else better say nothing to them,” they are, “MY BOYS”. She loved her boys with every ounce she had in her body and would go without and had went without to make sure they never wanted for anything.
She leaves to cherish precious memories with her children, Donald Lee Waters, Jr., Bryant Anthony Waters and Ryan Fredrick Waters (Calandra), all of Crisfield; 16 grandchildren, Donald Waters, III, Juanita Waters, Prentiss Ward, Marc Fontaine, Arion Maddox Waters, Heaven Nasuro, Bryant Waters, Jr., Ne’Brya Waters, Bry’Je Waters, Bry’Kie Waters, Tamia Barkley-Dashiell, Ryan Waters, Jr., Rykell Waters, Christian Waters, RyNaijah Waters, Ryniah Waters; nine great grandchildren; two brothers, Earl Tripp of Philadelphia and William Tripp, Jr. of South Carolina; four sisters, Marjorie Love and Shirley Watson, both of Philadelphia, Jacqueline Tripp Ward of Salisbury, and Patricia Tripp of Crisfield, she loved them dearly and they loved her just as much; four nephews, Byron, William, Christopher Ryan and Eugene; eight nieces, Letisha, Lil Shirley, Tamika, Aiysha, Chakita, LeKeisha, Shamira and Michelle; her special friends, Joyce Ann Polk, Sarah Young and Sharon Corbin, whom Mom loved dearly. A special cousin, Delores Evans, whom mom would call day and night, she loved laughing and talking with her, she gave her the greatest joy and Roxanne James who would come by and bring cakes.
A funeral service will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Crisfield High School and Academy in Crisfield where friends may call one hour prior. A viewing will also be held 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday, January 24, 2020 at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Marion Station. Interment will be at Mt. Peer Cemetery in Marion Station.
One Response
If I’ve learned anything down through the years, it’s that nothing beautiful in this world is ever really lost- Those we cherish will always live on in memory. We can’t know why some things happen…but we can know that love and beautiful memories outlast the pain of grief. And we can know that there’s a place inside the heart where love lives always…and where nothing beautiful can ever be forgotten. She was a wonderful person and she will truly be missed.
“With Deepest Sympathy”
Ruth A. Jones (Retired Teacher)
Somerset County Public Schools