Tara Anika Waters

TARA ANIKA WATERS, 49, was born on April 1, 1976, in Columbia, Maryland, to Rose Jordan Waters and Kenneth Richard Waters, Jr. She departed this life on February 14, 2026, at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, the same hospital of her birth.

Tara possessed a deep commitment to learning and prided herself on her problem-solving abilities. She received her primary education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ilchester, Maryland, and completed her secondary schooling at Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland. During her high school years, she played the clarinet in both the orchestra and the marching band, which provided her with the opportunity to perform in London, England, and Disney World, Florida.

Beyond her musical pursuits, Tara was an accomplished scholar. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and was recognized as a Maryland Distinguished Scholar. Following both her junior and senior years, Tara completed internships at the Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Campus, where she contributed to the Psychology Laboratory, studying the behavior of starlings. Her summer college internships included working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), where she attended and reported on Congressional hearings.

Tara attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in May 1998. In her junior year, she spent a semester studying abroad at Oxford University (Keble College). She maximized this experience by traveling to Wales, Italy, and Spain to expand her knowledge and broaden her perspective.

For nearly 25 years, Tara was employed by the federal government with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). She was a diligent employee who consistently excelled in her position. Due to her illness, she relocated to an assisted living facility to receive constant care in proximity to her treatment center and the hospital.

Tara found pleasure in reading and was a regular attendee of the Library of Congress Book Fair at the Washington Convention Center. She enjoyed watching figure skating competitions, primarily on television, and also traveled to attend shows on the East Coast.

She is survived by her parents, Kenneth and Rose Waters, and her siblings, Kafi Waters (Kevin Downes) and Kenneth Perry Waters. Ms. Waters is also survived by her Aunts: Joan Jordan, Kim Russell (Charles), Karen Moore (Kevin), and her two Uncles: Lawrence A. Jordan (Darlene) and Michael Jordan (Christine).

She was preceded in death by her Grandparents, Kenneth and Naomi Waters and Joseph and Mary Jordan, and a beloved Great Aunt, Rose Wright (Perry). Also preceding her in death were her Aunts, Phyllis Hopewell, Thelma Strickland, and Bernadette Tyer, and Uncles Joseph Jordan and Gregory Jordan.

She will be deeply missed by her godparents, Delores Vorters and Alfred Napper, and her many special cousins: Renae Barnes, Todd Holt, Chenedah Nelson, Michael Davis, James Jordan, Tomeika Elmore, Tanya Jordan, Tony Jordan, Natalie Jordan, Crystal Fleming, Joey, and Nicole Davis. She was also preceded in death by Cousins: Moneta Strickland, Preston Tyer, and Brandon Barnes.

Expressions of kindness have been sincerely appreciated.

Visitation will be held at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., located at 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will take place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, located at 10431 Twin Rivers Rd, Columbia, MD 21044, on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 12:00 pm.