Gwen Waters Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Gwendolyn Broome Waters
April 9, 1955 - December 11, 2019
Gwendolyn “Gwen” Broome Waters, 64, passed away peacefully on December 11 at UNC Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born in Charlotte in 1955 to Mack and Deloris Broome, Gwen is survived in her immediate family by her faithful husband of 45 years, Jimmy, beloved son Tra, talented daughter-in-law Victoria, and amazing granddaughter Lily. Additionally, she is survived by brother Jerry Broome of Mt. Pleasant, SC, sister-in-law Sherry Setzer of Gastonia, brothers-in-law Roger Waters of Gastonia & Mike Waters of Hickory, and surrogate son Klay Shrum & family of Lincolnton. Preceding Gwen in death were her father Mack Broome, mother Deloris Broome, and sisters Mickie Kight & Tammy Broome.
Gwen proved that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Only measuring 5’3” and just over 100 pounds, you wouldn’t think it, but she could jump on you just like a Spider Monkey; even when she had to put her ever-growing 6’2” 250-pound son in his place as needed. Graduating in 1973 and proud Eagle from Eastern Alamance High School, Gwen was named Miss Congeniality of the Homecoming Court her senior year.
Gwen and Jimmy were married in Mebane in 1974. After leaving Mebane they lived in various places in the western piedmont, Charlotte, Gastonia, Dallas, and Lincolnton. In February of 1983, she gave birth to her only child, James Waters III (Tra). Spending the majority of her career in the textile industry, she found a position in which she excelled until arthritis of the fingers forced her into early retirement. Gwen and Jimmy made the final move of their married lives to Pittsboro in 2010 to be closer to their only granddaughter, Lily Carolina Waters, born March 11, 2010.
Gwen’s most favorite activity was riding the roads in the mountains of North Carolina and trout fishing the streams and rivers that run along those valleyed roads. She was extremely proud and fond of living vicariously through her son Tra, who was Valedictorian of Lincolnton High School’s class of 2001 and received the prestigious Johnston Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most of all she loved to spoil and showered her granddaughter Lily with all the love, gifts, and affection that a Nana could give.
Gwen never met a stranger and would give you the shirt off of her back, even if it was the last piece of clothing she had. She lived in the moment and never wanted to dwell on her last days. She was comfortable in the knowledge that she was saved by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and no matter what happened when the day came, she would be reunited with her parents, sisters, and one day, reunited with her own family.
She will be missed by all of us but to put it in the words of her beloved granddaughter Lily, I love you Dragon Queen Nana. Rest well and make sure you have us some potato salad and banana pudding waiting for us when we get to heaven.
There will be a luncheon celebration of her life and memory on Saturday, December 21 at 1:00 PM in Lincolnton. The location is 113A Court Square, Lincolnton, NC 28092 [event space above Court Street Grill].
We love you Gwen [pooh bear, mama, nana] and already miss you terribly.
April 9, 1955 - December 11, 2019
Gwendolyn “Gwen” Broome Waters, 64, passed away peacefully on December 11 at UNC Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born in Charlotte in 1955 to Mack and Deloris Broome, Gwen is survived in her immediate family by her faithful husband of 45 years, Jimmy, beloved son Tra, talented daughter-in-law Victoria, and amazing granddaughter Lily. Additionally, she is survived by brother Jerry Broome of Mt. Pleasant, SC, sister-in-law Sherry Setzer of Gastonia, brothers-in-law Roger Waters of Gastonia & Mike Waters of Hickory, and surrogate son Klay Shrum & family of Lincolnton. Preceding Gwen in death were her father Mack Broome, mother Deloris Broome, and sisters Mickie Kight & Tammy Broome.
Gwen proved that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Only measuring 5’3” and just over 100 pounds, you wouldn’t think it, but she could jump on you just like a Spider Monkey; even when she had to put her ever-growing 6’2” 250-pound son in his place as needed. Graduating in 1973 and proud Eagle from Eastern Alamance High School, Gwen was named Miss Congeniality of the Homecoming Court her senior year.
Gwen and Jimmy were married in Mebane in 1974. After leaving Mebane they lived in various places in the western piedmont, Charlotte, Gastonia, Dallas, and Lincolnton. In February of 1983, she gave birth to her only child, James Waters III (Tra). Spending the majority of her career in the textile industry, she found a position in which she excelled until arthritis of the fingers forced her into early retirement. Gwen and Jimmy made the final move of their married lives to Pittsboro in 2010 to be closer to their only granddaughter, Lily Carolina Waters, born March 11, 2010.
Gwen’s most favorite activity was riding the roads in the mountains of North Carolina and trout fishing the streams and rivers that run along those valleyed roads. She was extremely proud and fond of living vicariously through her son Tra, who was Valedictorian of Lincolnton High School’s class of 2001 and received the prestigious Johnston Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most of all she loved to spoil and showered her granddaughter Lily with all the love, gifts, and affection that a Nana could give.
Gwen never met a stranger and would give you the shirt off of her back, even if it was the last piece of clothing she had. She lived in the moment and never wanted to dwell on her last days. She was comfortable in the knowledge that she was saved by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and no matter what happened when the day came, she would be reunited with her parents, sisters, and one day, reunited with her own family.
She will be missed by all of us but to put it in the words of her beloved granddaughter Lily, I love you Dragon Queen Nana. Rest well and make sure you have us some potato salad and banana pudding waiting for us when we get to heaven.
There will be a luncheon celebration of her life and memory on Saturday, December 21 at 1:00 PM in Lincolnton. The location is 113A Court Square, Lincolnton, NC 28092 [event space above Court Street Grill].
We love you Gwen [pooh bear, mama, nana] and already miss you terribly.
Organizer
Tra Waters
Organizer
Mebane, NC
