Joella Katherine Evans Waters

Joella E. Waters passed away peacefully at her home in Dripping Springs, Texas, on the evening of August 22nd, at the age of 76. She was born in Austin on November 8, 1939, to Jake and Virginia Evans. She never left her beautiful hometown until she met her loving husband, Herman F. Waters, Jr., and moved for a brief time to Denver, Colorado, after their wedding in 1958. They returned to Austin a few years later to begin raising a family.

Joella will be remembered as a teacher, a counselor, a wonderful mother and a loving wife. Her strongest desire was to serve others and she did so through teaching & counseling, especially the counseling of children. A graduate of The University of Texas, her teaching career began in 1963, as a special education teacher for AISD. She continued her work at the Austin Cerebral Palsy Center and The Hope House. In 1968 she turned her passion into a career as an early

childhood teacher and spent the next 20 years at Covenant Presbyterian Preschool. In 1988 she obtained her LPC and master’s degree in counseling at Southwest Texas State University and then counseled at various Christian counseling centers from Lake Creek Christian Counseling Services to Intimate Life Ministries. After retiring from full-time counseling, she began to focus on ministry within the church and volunteered at First Evangelical Free Church, where she taught English as a second language.

Joella loved fellowship with friends and treasured time with her precious family. She enjoyed spending time in her garden. She loved traveling, especially skiing and hiking trips to the Rocky Mountains. God planted a seed in Joella and she strived to reach beyond herself and touch the lives of those around her. She showed genuine love and encouragement to everyone she encountered. Christ’s radiance shined through Joella and she was a true example of His love and

forgiveness. Her deep devotion to her family and friends was only surpassed by her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Joella was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Virginia Evans. She is survived by her husband, Herman F. Waters, Jr., and two sons, Brad Waters and wife Kimberlee, and Danny Waters and wife Mekelle. Siblings include her sister Frances Blank, brother Jay Evans and his wife Lynn, and brother Jimmy D. Evans and his wife Gretchen. She was blessed with 2 beautiful granddaughters, Sidney Cooper and Shelby Waters.

The family wishes to express appreciation to Dr. Richard E. Helmer, nurses Sarah and Jean of Texas Oncology, and Dr. Michael Trotter of Midtown Urology for their loving care of Joella during her struggle. We would like to thank Dr. Arlene Siefker-Radtke at MD Anderson for her thoroughness and kindness. Finally, we are grateful to Heart to Heart Hospice for their thoughtful and gentle care.

A Memorial Service honoring and celebrating Joella’s life will be held at Austin Oaks Church, 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78749 on Thursday, September 1st, at 12:00 PM, with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, for those who so desire, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.