Elizabeth Jones Waters

Beloved wife and mother Elizabeth (Liz) Waters passed Sunday, December 5, 2021. Liz was passionate about her family, her First Baptist church family, her friends, her community, and the care and protection of the environment and all its creatures. She expressed her passion in words and deeds that inspired us all to have high expectations of ourselves, to always care for each other, and to be humble yet relentless custodians of God’s creation. Liz was devoted to family and to helping maintain traditions sustained over many decades. Family time included frequent visits across North Carolina and numerous family adventures throughout the United States and in countries on four continents. Family devotion also included beloved pets, including fostering and adopting with the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue organization. As an educator for over 40 years in Orange County schools, Liz emulated her beloved Aunt Myrtle in nurturing, encouraging, and challenging hundreds of children – and later Hillsborough residents and visitors – as they learned about nature and history. Her work with fellow teachers had lasting impact beyond that on students, such as creation of the New Hope Elementary School nature trail. Liz combined her passions in “retirement” by helping make Hillsborough a better place to live and visit by volunteering with the Tree Board and for historical site events, by spreading encouragement by bringing her dog Misty to read with elementary students and visit Duke Hospital patients, and by modeling stewardship of God’s creation through roles at First Baptist Church. Liz is survived by her husband Leon, her children Mark and Cheryl, her grandson Liam, her brother Charles, her nephews and nieces and their children, and her dog Buddy. In deference to her desire to protect her family and friends, Liz will be honored at a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Neuse River Golden Retreiver Rescue organization (https://goldenrescuenc.org/support-nrgrr), the NC Audubon organization (https://nc.audubon.org/donate), or any other environmental conservation or animal rescue organization. Special thanks to the staff at UNC Hospital in Hillsborough and UNC Hospice in Pittsboro for taking care of Liz and her family when they needed it the most.