Obituary of Cleavy Eugene Waters

Cleavy Eugene (Gene) Waters passed away at home in Rockledge, Florida on August 9, 2022. Born January 1, 1936, in Savannah, Georgia to Oscar Horace and Helen Edith (Mikell) Waters. Gene is preceded by his beloved wife of 60 years, Avis (Robertson) Waters. Gene is survived by their eight married children: Keith and Becky Waters, Marilyn and Paul Thompson, Brian and Bridget Waters, Dan and Rebecca Waters, Amy and Tim Alexander, Janet and Steve (1972-2021) Henderson, Paul and Gladys Waters, and Jill and Brent Woodson. Their family has grown to include thirty-five grandchildren, eight of whom are married, and eleven great-grandchildren (two more expected in November). Gene loved sports, music, reading and loved being outside as a youth. He grew up in Savannah enjoying his days with his siblings and many friends roaming the streets of the city, finding all kinds of work and fun. As a child, he sold peanuts to workers as they would file out of the shipyard at the end of the day and to fans at the baseball games. He sold kindling wood cut from a large tree in the edge of the woods. He spent many days fishing, crabbing, swimming in the river and playing sports. He was a fast runner and a kicker on the football team in high school. Gene had an exceptional mind that all can attest to. He was able to recall memories and information at any time, yet able to communicate well with all walks of life from small children to the most educated individuals. He left high school early and joined the Navy where he obtained his GED because he was bored in school. From the age of 17, he spent all four years in the Navy at Jacksonville NAS where he was an airplane electrician, valued for his skills. Though it was wartime, his chief put aside any transfer order because he was needed there where many of the planes with more problematic repairs were sent to be completed. So, he never went to sea. He loved his time there, has many stories and learned much. Gene also has a strong spiritual strength. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was twelve years old when he heard the message of the restoration of the Gospel along with his older sister Helen. After serving in the Navy, he served for two years in the Southern States Mission of the church where he had great experiences that continued to expand his mind and spiritual development. Through his memorization efforts, he could quote hundreds of scriptures. He also had a deep understanding of the scriptures, which was a great benefit to him and others he served throughout his life as he went on to serve in several leadership roles. After his missionary service, he worked for IBM repairing business machines where he also worked before his church mission. Gene was a skilled employee. He grew weary of the abundance of time-consuming reports required. A friend told him he should come and sell advertising for the Savannah News Press with him. All he would have to do was sell and not do reports. This intrigued him to be able make his own schedule and decisions and it led to a lengthy career in advertising sales and as a sales manager. After being married and having three of their eight children, he moved with his family to Florida where he was a founding employee at Florida Today newspaper in 1966. Gene adored his wife, children, grandchildren, their spouses, great-grandchildren, his parents, grandparents, forebearers, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and loved ones throughout his life. He loved everyone and was kind and generous. He would often attest that the best thing that happened to him in his life was convincing Avis to marry him. He would often say that “she broke a lot of hearts” by agreeing to marry him. They were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 5, 1961. Their Faith and family are the most important things to them. This was evident by the way they lived each day of their mortal lives. We know that they are together again and we can see them again through the teachings and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.