John Cleveland Waters Jr.

John Cleveland Waters Jr. of Cartersville, GA passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2025. Lovingly known as J.C., Daddy, and Grandaddy, he enjoyed a full 93 years of life. Born in Cassville, GA on February 27, 1932, he was the 5th child of the late John Cleveland Waters Sr. and Maybell Pace Waters.

J.C. is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Carolyn Mullinax Waters, who tried to keep him in line. J.C. was a girl dad and raised his two daughters, Michelle Waters Dittmer (Todd) and Metta Leann Waters (Steve McDonald), to be independent and successful women. J.C. is exceptionally proud of his grandchildren, Trent Dittmer (Katie), Barrette Lackey (Chase), Case Dittmer (Catherine), and Charleigh Erd, and often boasted of their achievements to anyone who would listen. He is blessed with a growing brood of great grandchildren: Dawson Lackey (3), Turner Lackey (1), Pace Dittmer (6 months), and Woods Dittmer (expected February 2026).

J.C. is also preceded in death by his sisters Irene Satterfield, Edith Bearden, Dean Bell, Vera Purcell, and Pearl Noles and by his brothers Roy Waters and Delano Waters. He is also survived by his younger brother, L.D. Waters (Ruth), and numerous nieces and nephews.

J.C. was raised a county kid in Cassville, GA just after the Great Depression. He graduated from Cass High School in 1951. J.C. served in the Army during the Korean War and was a proud recipient of the GI Bill. While attending night school, J.C. completed his undergraduate studies at Georgia State University and became the first member of his family to graduate from college. He retired in 1990 after a lengthy and successful career as an auditor for the United States Government. In his retirement, J.C. became a successful real estate investor and thoroughly enjoyed investing in the stock market.

J.C. grew up attending church in Cassville, but spent greater than half of his life as a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, where he was a long-time member of the Sunday School Group. Despite often napping during the service, J.C. was a deeply religious man. He often discussed eternal life with his family and anxiously anticipated the day he would meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Like many of his generation, the timing of his upbringing had a profound effect on his life. As a result, J.C. lived frugally; however, he believed education was an invaluable means of self-advancement. He proudly supported his daughters’ and grandchildren’s pursuit of higher education.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Roger Hiser and Dr. Kunal Patel for providing years of compassionate care. Additionally, God sent two angels, Trena Bell and Betty Jo Boston, to provide loving, round the clock, in-home care for J.C. and Carolyn.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, December 18th at 11:00 am followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1pm at Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120. Graveside services will be at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Trent Dittmer, Case Dittmer, Chase Lackey, Clark Millsap, Jimmy Hobgood, and Jerry Satterfield.

In memory of J.C., the family invites you to honor his passion for education with a contribution to the Etowah Foundation; PO Box 1239 Cartersville, GA 30120. Additional ways to contribute can be found at https://www.etowah.org/donate-505700.html.