Online Archives

Elizabeth Irene Washington Waters, 87, the wife of the late Rev. James O. Waters, died June 28, 2012, in Brandywine. The Rev. Tony Love officiated at a funeral service July 7 at Journey of Faith UMC in Waldorf.

Elizabeth Irene Washington was born Nov. 5, 1924, to the late John and Gladys Washington, the youngest of six children. She was the stepdaughter of Harry Grey. “Renie” as she was called by her family was educated in the public schools of Prince Georges County. She had an innate ability for business and took business courses.

Prior to her marriage in July 1952 to James O. Waters, she was married to Dennis Edward Lee who died young. She had four children by her first marriage and five by the second.

She grew up in the Catholic Church, but became a faithful church member wherever the Rev. James Waters served. His appointments included several two-church charges, Zion Wesley in Waldorf from 1955-56, Carroll Chapel in Mitchellville from 1957-62, Shiloh UM Community Church in Newberg from 1966-70, Calvary UMC in Washington, DC, 1972-74, Ebenezer UMC in Lanham and Grace UMC in Oxon Hill, 1975-1979, when he retired.  After retirement he took an appointment to Zion Wesley UMC in Waldorf and was in the process of relocating and building a new church at the time of his death in 1988.

Irene Waters was devoted to her family, making sure their needs and priorities came first. She taught Sunday School and participated in church fundraisers.  She also worked outside the home, managing the school cafeteria at Wayside Elementary School, where she developed a nutritious and efficient program that was adopted countywide.

She was a pioneer in the Head Start Program in Charles County, facilitating shelter, food and clothing for some of the neediest.

In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Delois Lee-Johnson.

Survivors include eight children: Dennis Lee Jr., Walter Lee and Alice Lee, James Waters Jr., Claude Waters, Gladys Waters-Snipes, Noah Waters and Linda Waters; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to her son, Noah Waters, 23304 Sycamore Trail, Aquasco, MD 20608.