Mary Elma Waters

MARY “ELMA” WATERS, 96, passed away Oct. 28, 2024. She was born in Seminary, MS, on May 3, 1928, where she lived until age 8. Elma then moved with her family to Pascagoula, MS, where she resided until adulthood. She graduated from Pascagoula High School and went to work at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., as well as modeled bathing suits, shirts and sweaters. In 1960, she moved to Orlando, FL, where she spent the rest of her life among the people she loved most, her family.

Elma attended classes at the University of Mississippi, Valencia College and the University of Central Florida. She worked for Orange County Public Schools for 22 years, during which she was presented with a Better Than Ever Award. She retired from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando but continued to assist at other schools as needed.

Elma’s hobbies included painting in all mediums, making ceramics, reading, watching collegiate sports (Go Gators!), and completing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. In her younger years, Elma enjoyed playing bridge; sewing and knitting; ballroom dancing; traveling; singing Karaoke; working in her yard; attending Orlando Predator AFL games; hanging with her dear friends the Rosettes; and volunteering with the American Legion and Orlando Moose Lodge No. 766, where she was named a Moose Woman of the Month. She also stayed busy creating myriad arts and crafts for which she won several ribbons and awards.

In addition to many beloved nieces and nephews, Elma is survived by her daughters, Brenda Kearney (Clay), Cindy Osmond (Mike), and Lisa Sagers (Archie); grandchildren, Jaime (Chris), Lauren (Adam), Heather (Justin), Brandon, Kellen (Daniel), Kaila and Amy (Jermaine); and great-grandchildren Colby, Brenna, Zackary, Hudson, Finley, Delaney, Lily, Stella, Carter and Jayden.

A casual memorial service to celebrate Elma’s life will be held Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m., at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha, FL, followed by interment at the same location. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VITAS Hospice by visiting www.vitascommunityconnection.org online or calling 888-232-6111. (Please indicate your donation is for “Program 17 Central Florida” in the comment box).

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