Ilavee Waters

On December 6, 2023, one of our Greatest Generation – Ilavee Clarice (Swann) Waters – departed to be with The Lord. Ilavee (sometimes Ila and sometimes Ila-Vee) was born in Brushy Pond (Cullman County) Alabama on August 12, 1929, to Ollie Savannah (Stricklin) Swann and Burtis Winford Swann. She was 7th in line of their 9 children.

Ilavee was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Emery Curtis Waters (1924 – 2016); sisters Reba Kilgo, Ruby Morgan, and Olene Parker; and brothers Verbon Swann, Virgil Swann and Maylon Swann. In addition to her surviving sons and sisters, Odessa Cosper and Shirley Pittman, her family members include numerous nieces and nephews.

Ilavee grew up in an agricultural family in Cullman County, learning the value of education, sacrifice, commitment, and love of The Lord. As a young child during the Great Depression of 1929-1939, she was molded by the need for hard work with minimal expectations. During her formative years, she attended Brushy Pond Elementary and Cold Springs High School. She later attended Florence State Teachers College (currently The University of North Alabama) and began her career in elementary education during the post World War II era.

Ilavee and Emery were married on August 16, 1948, and initially resided on a small farm in Brushy Pond in a cinder-block house that Emery had constructed. They later relocated from Bushy Pond to Birmingham in the mid-1950s with their sons Gary Dale Waters (1951) and Gregory Neal Waters (1953) to settle in the west-side community of Ensley, while later relocating in 1970 to the suburban community of Pleasant Grove. Ilavee continued to be engaged in education initiatives through local school systems but later transitioned to a career as a Pharmaceutical Assistant.

Ilavee oldest son, Gary, attended Auburn University and is married to Suzanne (Susie) Marie Waters with daughter, Lauren Nichole (Nicki) Bowen, and son, William (Bill) Donald Bowen. Bill is married to Andrea Bowen with son, Cayden Isaac Bowen.

Ilavee’s youngest son, Greg, also attended Auburn University and is married to Patricia (Pat) Gibbons-Waters, with daughter, Blakeley Lynn (Waters) Clark, and son, Gregory Neal Waters II. Blakeley is married to William (Will) Avery Clark with daughter, Mia Lynn Clark, and younger twin sons, Samuel (Sam) Avery Clark and Jackson (Jack) Avery Clark. Neal is married to Jenna Lynn (Ward) Waters with daughter, Madison Lynn Waters, and younger twin daughter/son, Harper Lynn Waters and Hazon Gregory Waters. All of Ilavee’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren live in or near Atlanta, Georgia.

After Ilavee and Emery retired in the late-1980s, they relocated from Pleasant Grove to Cullman County to be “farmers” again, but within a few years they returned to the Birmingham area to settle in Gardendale, where they were actively engaged in the community and members of Gardendale First Baptist Church. After Emery’s passing in 2016, Ilavee relocated to an Assisted-living facility in Gardendale, where she was actively engaged in “running the place” until she was called home to be with The Lord.

A Celebration of Ilavee’s life will be held on Monday, December 11th at the Ridout’s Trussville Chapel located at 1500 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, Alabama 35235 (p: (205) 655-2171). Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00pm (CT), with a brief service from 2:00-2:30pm (CT). Immediately after the service, a brief grave-side prayer will be held across the street at the Waters Family plot in the Jefferson Memorial Gardens (1591 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235) with a procession from the Chapel. Given the expected cold temperatures, the family recognizes the honor that attendees have given to Ilavee at the Visitation and/or Service, so please do not feel compelled to attend the graveside if the cold elements of the weather are as predicted.

Ilavee (and together with Emery) were very strong supporters of financially disadvantaged children, particularly during this season of Christian Celebration. While flowers are a beautiful complement to a service for a few minutes, that will surely fade in the cold elements outside on Monday, so please ... should you be contemplating a gift of flowers or plants in honor of Ilavee, she would have asked you to strongly consider, alternatively, making one or more direct personal gifts/contributions to needy children in your respective communities during this Christmas Season.