John Henry Waters: Obituary

July 20, 1944 – November 28, 2018

John Henry Waters, age 74, of Copperhill, TN, passed away Wednesday, November 28, 2018. He was born on July 20, 1944 to the late Martin and Zella Allen Waters. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served during Vietnam from 1965-1967. Later he began working in the construction industry, but worked from 1969 until the close of the Tennessee Chemical Company in 1987 as an equipment operator. After the closing of the Tennessee Chemical Company he continued to operate equipment for VULCAN until his retirement in February 2010. John was very community oriented. He was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church at Tumbling Creek for many years. He continued his patriotic duty by volunteering with the North Georgia Honor Guard rendering military funeral honors and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVets, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans . He was a Past Most Worshipful Master of both Ducktown Lodge #241 and Copperhill Lodge #656 F&AM. John was also a Past Worthy Patron of Friendship Chapter O.E.S. He enjoyed lecturing and coaching the incoming brethren and spending time with his fraternal family. But most of all John loved life and his family. He loved gardening, spending time in nature, Trout fishing in Tumbling Creek, and was an avid Tennessee Volunteer and Copper Basin Cougar fan. He was also preceded in death by siblings, Ernie Waters, Joe Waters, Luke Waters, Willard Waters, Myrtle Waters; and one granddaughter, Rebecca Housley.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Bobbie Smith Waters of the home; sons and daughters-in-laws, John A. “Andy” and Stephanie Waters of Lansing, KS, Pastor Kenny and Dianna Housley of McCaysville, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Jamie English of Turtletown, TN; grandchildren, Rachel Housley, Aaron English, Cade English, Scarlett Waters, Lily Waters; and great grandchild, Fiona Ransome.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Rites provided by Ducktown Lodge #241 F&AM at 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. from the Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill Chapel with Pastor Kenny Housley officiating. Music will be by the Kenny O’Neal family. Pallbearers include Dale Ray, Keith Barker, Darren Waters, Brad Waters, Eric Waters and Billy Waters. Interment will follow in the Mt. Zion Tumbling Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John Henry Waters to the Ducktown Lodge #241 F&AM building fund at P.O. Box 734 Ducktown, TN 37326. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill is in charge of the arrangements.