Marylyn Toevs Waters

Marylyn Toevs Waters passed away on August 8, 2025, at age 94. Born July 28, 1931, in Ainsworth, Nebraska, Marylyn grew up working and playing on the family farm in Aberdeen, Idaho with her parents Edgar and Annice Toevs, and siblings Wally, Ruth, Ed, Margie and Jim. Oh, the stories they told.

Marylyn graduated from Aberdeen High in 1949 and Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington in 1953. She never forgot the fun she had playing her Clarinet in the marching band and regularly told anyone who would listen all about her experience.

While living in Moses Lake, Washington, Marylyn met and fell in love with her future husband, an Air Force pilot from Georgia, Paul E Waters. They began their married life in March of 1955 and spent the next 68 years together until Paul’s passing in 2023. They lived in Moses Lake, Washington, Athens and Marietta, Georgia prior moving to Greenville, South Carolina.

Marylyn and her husband joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1960, where they served faithfully. As an active member she became an Elder, taught Sunday and Bible School, played in the Hand Bell choir, served as children’s librarian, and helped when a group of church friends started Project Self Sufficiency to support single mothers. Marylyn also spent 35 years teaching four-year-olds in the Westminster weekday school.

Marylyn was dedicated to community service. When her daughters were young, she volunteered to lead Brownie and Girl Scout troops. She spent years volunteering with the Greenville Literacy Association, teaching adults to read. When the Habit for Humanity organization was established in Greenville, Marylyn and a friend climbed into the car and drove all over town interviewing future homeowners. Once she retired from her pre-school career, she volunteered her time at the nonprofit retail store, Ten Thousand Villages.

Though Marylyn lived in South Carolina for most of her life, she always cherished her Western roots. As an avid reader she often chose books with Western themes. Although her memory declined, she continued to read her Louis L’Amour books and presumed that those around her read them, too. She often spoke fondly of her family out West and places like Yellowstone, Teton, Glacier, and Montana’s Bitterroot Valley.

Marylyn cherished her family. Even as her memory faded, she had a ritual of repeating their names, in order, over and over. She was predeceased by her husband Paul, her parents, brother Wally and sister Ruthie. She is survived by her daughters Jan Lard (Gus), Kay Wax (Ben), Laura Howard (Vincent), and Susan Emrick (Chuck); her grandsons Nick Woodcox (Meghan), Drew Wax (Rachel), Zack Woodcox (Tara), Cory Wax (Simone); and great-grandchildren Becca and Paul Wax, Colton, Wyatt, Maddie, Kope, and Kenzie Woodcox, who carry on her legacy.

Marylyn’s family would like to thank the caregivers who made such a meaningful difference in the last few years of Marylyn’s life. April and April, then the addition these past last few months, Teresa and Cristol, we couldn’t have done it without you. Your love and compassion will never be forgotten. We will always think of you and smile when we hear the music from the Andy Griffin Show which played continuously on Marylyn’s television.

Marylyn requested not to have a funeral service, and her family will respect her wishes. She did make a request, however, to share her favorite scripture: Matthew 10:29-33 and to sing her favorite hymn. “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, for his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me!”

Marylyn and her husband, Paul, generously shared their time, talents, and resources, living out their faith. In their memory, the family asks you to pay it forward: help your neighbor, love your family, and show kindness to those in need.