James Candler Waters

Dr. James C. Waters — known as Jim, 901 Cherokee Place, Lenoir, NC, died peacefully at his home on Friday evening September 6, 2013. He was 81 years of age. He was a man that truly lived a full life — celebrating a marriage of 56 years to his devoted wife, Betty, enjoying the joys of parenthood, being a proud grandfather and the successes of careers in the furniture industry and the ministry. He was born August 14, 1932 in Sylva, NC to the late Fannie M. and Thomas L. Waters. Growing up in Western North Carolina and graduating from Lee H. Edwards High School in Asheville, he then proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force.  In 1959 he graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received a Master of Divinity from Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity in 1998 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte in 2000. Jim was employed at Broyhill Furniture Industries during the 1960s before founding Waters Furniture Industries in 1971. The company later purchased Maxwell Royal Chair Company of Hickory, NC. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hickory Home Furnishings Mart. Jim was a former member of the Lenoir Lions Club and served as President of that organization. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Board of Distributive Education, Washington, DC, and a member of Caldwell County Education Foundation. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Lenoir and served as Associate Minister there before his retirement in 2001. He was a Life Deacon and former chairman of several Deacon Committees.  He also served as Director of Sunday School and as Chairman of the Renovation Management Committee for the church that was such an integral part of his life and worship. In addition to his parents, brothers Harold L. Waters of Statesville, NC, Robert L. Waters of Asheville, NC, Charles E. Waters of Hudson, NC, and two sisters-in-law, Betty G. Waters of Hudson, NC, and Evelyn Waters of Asheville, NC preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Betty S. Waters of Lenoir, son James C Waters Jr. and wife Lori Waters of Atlanta, GA, son Edward A. Waters and wife Remel of Kannapolis, grandson Mason C. Waters of Lenoir, NC, brother Roy A. Waters and wife Pat Waters of Canton, GA, brother Dewey D. Waters and wife Janice of Statesville, NC and sisters-in law Mrs. Nina Waters of Statesville, NC, Thelmalene Waters of Asheville, NC, as well as several nieces and nephews. A service celebrating Jim’s life will be held on Monday, September 9 at 11:00 am, at the First Baptist Church of Lenoir conducted by Dr. David B. Smith. The family will receive visitors in the church parlor from 10:00 until 11:00 am, one hour prior to the service. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Harold Waters, Bobby Waters, Danny Waters, Kerry Waters, Jon Waters, Jeff Waters and Douglas Waters; the Lydia Beam Sunday School class and the Board of Deacons. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials be made to the Dr. James C. Waters Scholarship Fund of Gardner-Webb Divinity School; c/o First Baptist Church, 304 Main Street, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Waters Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Waters Family PDF Printable Version