Laura Janet Tate Waters

Laura Janet Tate Waters passed away in the early hours of Friday, July 28th at Riverwood Senior Living. She was a graduate of Berry College in Rome, GA where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. During her time at Berry College, she graduated Suma Cum Laude and valedictorian, was selected for four senior superlatives, and was elected to appear in the nationally recognized publication “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” She met her future husband and lifelong partner during their time at Berry. She received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from West Georgia College (now, University of West Georgia). She also lived in Japan in where she worked in the US Army Special Services Library.

During her career as an educator, she taught at Trion, Mountain View, and Rockmart–the latter of which she spent the most years. She enjoyed her education career and taught for several decades. She was an active member of Rockmart First United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the United Methodist Women, on the board of trustees, and on the administrative board. She volunteered for many years at Floyd Medical Center. She also spent time volunteering at the Sara Hightower Library in Rome and the Adult Literacy program at the Hospitality House. She was also a member of Daughters of Berry, the Rome Symphony Women’s Auxiliary, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Also of note, Janet—known as “Janna” to her grandchildren—was a poetic, adventurous spirit who loved abundantly and was an endless supply of wisdom. She deeply cared about nature, wildlife, and the welfare of humanity. She prioritized compassion and always sought to lend a hand when able. She had an affinity for music—particularly classical and piano-driven music—and loved hearing her grandchildren perform. She was an advocate for healthy eating and exercise and personally engaged in aerobic activity for as long as she was physically capable. She was an avid writer, spending countless hours writing poems, short stories, philosophical musings, theological reflections, genealogical accounts, and documenting family events and stories. She compiled many of these writings into a self-published booklet called “Janna’s Jottings,” which her children and grandchildren treasure.

Janet was preceded in death by a son Brent Eugene Waters; her husband Billy Gene (Bill) Waters; her parents Arthur Clemons and Essie Mae Shepherd Tate; her brother Donald Eugene Tate; and former son-on-law Michael Steven Evans.

She is survived by her son Eric David (Kathy) Waters of Rome; daughter Jean Waters Evans of Rome; grandchildren Laura Katherine Waters (Wallace) McKinney of Chattanooga, William Berry (Jana) Waters of Rome, Steven Brent (McKenna) Evans of Rome, Alexis Claire Evans of Rome; great granddaughters Mary Wallace McKinney of Chattanooga and Anna Berry Waters of Rome; brother Claude Lee (Doris) Tate, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 4, 2023 at 5:00 pm at Rockmart First United Methodist Church with Rev. Edward Murrey officiating. Committal services will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include: Dan Simon, Henry Mathews, Randy Turner, William Waters, Barry Lanier, Steven Evans, Mark Tate and Wallace McKinney.

The family will receive friends Friday afternoon from 3:30 pm until 4:30 pm at the Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rockmart First United Methodist Church in memory of Mrs. Waters. 

Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements for Laura Janet Tate Waters.