Obituary of Emerson F. Waters

The following obituary was transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) from a scrapbook in her possession, belonging to her great grandmother, Cora Lorena Foster Weeks. Lorena was born Jan 25, 1877 in Freestone Co, Texas and died Jan 6, 1952 in Gilmer County, Georgia. This obituary was presumably from the Gilmer County newspaper, the Times Courier, but could have been from the Atlanta, Georgia, newspaper, the Atlanta Journal/Constitution.

Surnames: Waters, Allen, Greer, McGinty, Quinn, Manning

Date: 13 Aug 1950

"Mr. Emerson F. Waters died at his home in Ellijay Sunday afternoon, August 13, at 3 o'clock following a heart attack"

   The funeral services were held from the Ellijay Baptist Church, of which he was a member. Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock the Rev. H.P. Bell, pastor, and the Rev. J. H. Knight of Mableton, the former pastor here, assisting. Interment was in the family plot in Ellijay cemetery. Logan Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

   Mr. Waters, a native of Murray county, was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James B. Waters. His family moved to Ninblewill community of Lumpkin county. At the age of 17 he came to Ellijay to attend the local school, then called the Ellijay Seminary. He became clerk in the mercantile business of Alfred Bishop whose store was located where the present Ellijay Hardware & Furniture store is now. He later clerked for the late Fate Bishop at the present location of the Waters Brothers store.

   He and the late Judge J. C. Allen bought out the business of Mr. Bishop. Mr. Waters later acquired Mr. Allen's interest and became sole owner and operator of the business. He retired July 4, 1940, disposing to his two sons who are now in charge.

   The first wife of Mr. Waters was the late Mrs. Vesta Allen Waters, daughter of Judge and Mrs. J.C. Allen. Following her death he married Miss Sallie Greer, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Levi Greer.

   Since young manhood Mr. Waters has been a member of the Ellijay Baptist Church and loyal in his devotion to its services. He was particularly active in the song service phase of church life. He was gifted in song and usually sang a bass part in the choir, seeming to enjoy rendering this service.

   Among his survivors are his wife, four daughters, Miss Miriam Waters of Ellijay; Mrs. Laura McGinty, Atlanta; Mrs. Thyrza Quinn, Pascagoula, Miss; Mrs. Sarah Manning, Atlanta; two sons, James F. Waters and Chas. E. Waters both of Ellijay.