Allie Mae "Cydi" (Powers) Waters

Mrs. Allie Mae “Cydi” Powers Waters, age 90, of Blackshear, passed away early Friday morning (4/14/23) at her daughter’s residence following an extended illness.

Born September 29, 1932 in Blackshear, she was a daughter of the late Winton A. and Ida Mae Walker Powers. A lifelong resident of Pierce County, she was a 1951 graduate of Blackshear High School.

Following graduation, she went to work with LaCount Walker, Clerk of Superior Court for 3 years and then began her 31-year career with BellSouth and AT&T, retiring as the District Central Office Secretary.

After retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at the Pierce County Nursing Home (now Harborview Pierce County) as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary (Pink Ladies), serving as the vice president and then president.

She also volunteered at Patterson Elementary School for 4 years as a Rock and Reader to the children.

Accepting Jesus Christ as her Savior and then joining First Baptist Church in Blackshear in August 1949, she had been a member of the Homemakers Sunday School Class, serving as class vice president and president, the Followers Sunday School Class, and the Alathean Sunday School Class. She also served with the Bereavement Committee, JOY Group, W.M.U., Food Pantry, Hands to Work Ministry, Operation Christmas Child, and helped compose the last picture directory the church had.

She also was a former member of the Classy Red Hatters and the Telephone Pioneers of America.

She loved cooking and working in her flower beds, but most importantly, she loved her Lord and Savior, and her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with them, loving on them, and taught them to put the Lord first in their lives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 wonderful, blessed years, Robert “Bob” Waters; and all of her siblings, George A. Powers, Robert V. Powers, Winton A. Powers, Jr., Lawton A. Powers, Clyde O. Powers, Alfred D. Powers, Ralph W. Powers, and Cora B. Sanders.

Survivors include her 2 children, Ricky Waters (wife Donna) of Waycross and Mysti Sapp of Blackshear;  5 grandchildren: Bradi Sykes (husband Peyton) of Austin, Texas, Skylar Waters (fiancé Khalil Khutaba) of Lawrenceville, Kelby Waters of Windsor, CO, Weston Sapp of Blackshear, and Danielle Collins (husband Brad) of Waycross; 2 great grandchildren, Ben and Luke Collins;  2 sisters-in-law: Pat Durrance (husband Wayne) of Glennville, GA and Jurell Wainwright of Baxley; a special nephew: Bob Powers (wife Cynthia) of Houston, TX; 2 special nieces, Genia Zipara (husband Dan) and Angie Adkins (husband Charlie), both of Jacksonville, FL; and many other nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A funeral service will take place Monday morning (4/17/23) at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Blackshear. Burial will follow in the Waters Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 4-6 p.m.

The family requests that all current and former deacons of First Baptist Church, the Alathean Sunday School Class, the former Followers Sunday School Class members, and former members of the Classy Red Hatters to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please be at the church by 10:40 on Monday morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.