Ruth Eileen “Bootsie” (Dover) Waters…
91, formerly of Columbus, OH, passed away peacefully at Pruitt
Health in Ridgeway, SC, on Sunday March 1st.
Born on September 22, 1928, to the late Raymond Emmett and Ida
Elnora (Cole) Dover, in Columbus, OH, Bootsie always had a zeal for life and
music that never faded.
She met and married the love of her life, Thomas Alvin “Brother”
Waters, in 1945 in Daytona Beach, FL. while he served in the Navy. In 1946 they moved to his
hometown of Winnsboro Mills, SC. After the birth of their first two children,
the local mill shut down and they moved to her hometown of Columbus, OH., where
they remained and raised two more children until 1978 when Tommy passed away at
the age of 51. Three of their four kids served in the military.
Bootsie then moved to California, Nevada, and finally settled
down in South Florida.
Bootsie worked at General Motors, Suburban Freight, and even
once as a grocery demonstrator. She also supported several community
organizations, including the American Legion Auxiliary, Moose Lodge, VFW
Auxiliary and the DAV.
Bootsie was known for being able to stretch a dollar, and loved
going thrifting long before it was a trendy thing to do. No one knew what new
treasure she may show up with after a trip to the thrift store or a local yard
sale, but it was always an adventure.
While Bootsie enjoyed being independent and sailing the high seas, she moved back to
Winnsboro, SC, to be closer to her son when her health began to decline. In her
final weeks she especially enjoyed listening to piano music and viewing family
photos with her son.
Bootsie will be missed immensely and remembered lovingly.
She is
survived by her sons Richard A., Terry D., and David L. Waters, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her
parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her sister, Thelma E. (Dover)
Krack and her eldest son, Thomas Alan Waters.
There will be a memorial service SaturdayMarch 14th at Lake Wateree Presbyterian church with visitation at 2pm and service at 3pm. In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Wateree Presbyterian Church.
The pain, oh the pain. I miss you Mama.
*Special thanks and credit to my step daughter Melody Braswell for her assistance in composing this obituary.
