Sybil Ruth Waters

Sybil Ruth Jackson Waters, age 86, of Bentonville, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on December 21, 2025. She was born in Epps, Louisiana, on August 19, 1939, to George Leonard and Miriam Elizabeth (Burchfield) Jackson, the first of three children. Sybil married Malcolm Waters on June 12, 1959, with Rev. Clindel Harbison officiating. They made their home in Monroe, Louisiana.

Sybil is preceded in death by her parents. After thirty-four plus years of marriage, Malcolm was called home to heaven in 1994. She is survived by her three children: Mary (John, Jr.) Conaway, Malcolm, Jr. (Dana), Melvin (Connie): grandchildren Jonathan Waters (Amanda), SaraBeth Waters Jenkins (Ryan), Courtney Waters Goodrich (Alan), Britt Waters (Jessica), John (Trey) Conaway III (Anna), Travis Conaway, Chester (Chet) Waters (Brooke), Clint Waters, Alayna Waters, seventeen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, sister Shirley Martin (Dub), brother Larry Jackson (Dolly), brother-in-law Jerry Waters (Johnniece), five nephews and 1 niece, and a host of extended family and friends.

Sybil attended school in Oak Grove, Louisiana, grades 1 - 12. While in High School, she served as Student Council Vice-President her Junior year in 1956, Secretary-Treasurer of Senior Class in 1957, and graduated May 30, 1957, as Valedictorian of Oak Grove High School. Beginning Fall semester 1957, she attended and worked in the office at God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio for two and a half years.

She was a wonderful and resourceful homemaker who loved and cared deeply for all of her family, and raised her children to serve God. Her hobbies included playing the piano, canning, and sewing/alterations. Sybil was blessed with the gift of "Helps", and was ALWAYS reaching out to someone in need. Places of employment included Louisiana Department of Health and substitute teaching at Sherrouse Elementary in Monroe, Louisiana.

Sybil was taught at an early age to love and worship the Lord. On Mother's Day in 1951, at the age of twelve, she realized she needed to be saved. In Sybil's own words, "I went to an altar of prayer, confessed all my sins to Jesus, and accepted the way of holiness. I have never regretted that sacred step one single time. From then I began to love the church and its doctrines... If I can keep God's smile and approval upon my life, I will be the happiest person this side of Heaven".

By the help and grace of God, Sybil lived to keep God's smile and approval on her life. She was a charter member of the Monroe, Louisiana, Bible Missionary Church since its inception, August 13, 1964. She served the church as Secretary from 1964 to 2001, also held offices as Missionary President and Steward, many years as head Steward. She loved all facets of the church, and poured her heart and soul into seeing the cause of God and Church go forward.

May 1978 found her part of a gospel team to Barbados, Saint Vincent, and Guyana, South America, and to Mexico, in 2004. In 1979, she felt called of God to begin and supervise Bible Missionary Academy at Monroe BMC. For thirty five years, until retirement in 2014, she gave unselfishly of her knowledge and time to every student that graced the halls of BMA, produced 36 graduates, six becoming called preachers. Her godly integrity and influence has touched many lives, and only God knows how far-reaching that influence!

Memorial contributions may be sent to: Rogers Bible Missionary Church, 3009 North 13th Street, Rogers, Arkansas, 72756, designated for Ghana, Africa, Accelerated Christian Education School.

Tributes may be emailed to Rev. Melvin Waters: [email protected].

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Rollins Funeral Home, 1401 Hudson Rd., Rogers, AR, from 5 - 8 PM. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Bible Missionary Church, 3009 North 13th Street, Rogers, AR, at 9:00 AM, officiated by Rev. Melvin Waters. Sybil will be laid to rest in Oak Grove, Louisiana. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Cox Funeral Home, 200 E. Noble Street, Oak Grove, LA, from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM, with graveside service at Oak Grove Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

Serving as pallbearers will be Sybil's grandsons: Britt Waters, Chester "Chet" Waters, Clint Waters, Jonathan Waters, Trey Conaway, and Travis Conaway, Honorary pallbearer: Alan "Ruggy" Goodrich.