Thelma Mae Waters' Obituary
Thelma Mae Waters, born to her late parents Charles and Clara Pippin Manning on October 22nd, 1930, in Birmingham, Alabama passed away peacefully amongst family on August 6th, 2023, in the city of Lakewood, WA.
Preceding her in death are son Stephen, and her sister Thelona Manning. She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Frederick L. Waters, her siblings Charles, Joe, Donnie, and Bernice. Thelma was a mother to 8 children, Melvin, Debbie, Yvette Rick, Mike, Don, and Donna,11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. She was an Auntie to over 20 nieces and nephews, stretching from: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado, and California.
Thelma loved the Lord, and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at the age of 33. She spent the rest of her life on Earth in daily devotion to share the “Amazing Grace” she received and always wanted to share His love, and looked forward to knowing she had a home awaiting her in Heaven.
She loved spending time with her family, cooking/baking, sewing, gardening, playing cards, cruising, and any traveling. Although she was not born into modern technology, she was a faithful texter on her iPhone and a queen of Emoji talk and a Facebook fan. Over the years, Thelma sent out daily text and scriptures to all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, friends, and fellow church members.
Thelma (Mom, Motha, Ma, Mommy, Mama, Granny) had great insight, so much so that in the event of her passing she wrote the following words:
“Death should not be a time of sorrow. If I should die soon, it would be a time of sadness for my family for a while. My family should look more to the happy times we shared together.
When I die, I do not want anyone wearing black. I want them to all wear their favorite colors or mine, (beige & blue). I just want a simple inexpensive burial. If my family or friends must spend money, let it be for a trust fund set up at Lakes High School for some young person that is interested in ministry.
I do not want any money spent on flowers. I have all the flowers I’ve ever wanted; they are planted in my yard. I cannot smell them now; my smelling days have ended.
If my family must have a funeral, please keep the casket closed, why look at my face with your open eyes? My eyes are forever closed in your world. If you want to walk past my casket, have a picture of me smiling on top so that all will know that I am happy. Happiness is what I want, no sadness. Have joy for me because I am no longer in pain. I am in a place where there is everlasting love.
I do not want you visiting my grave, because I won’t be there. My soul will leave me the day I take my last breath. If you go to my gravesite my body will be there, but not my soul. If you must visit my grave, by all means sit and visit. But before you visit, please stop at the store, and buy 2 Snickers bars and think about how much I used to love them. Why have any more sorrow for someone who gave you joy.
If you are sorry because you miss me, stop, and go share the joy that was given you”.
What’s your fondest memory of Thelma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thelma?
Share a story where Thelma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thelma you’ll never forget.
How did Thelma make you smile?
