Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - March 15, 2007

PORTSMOUTH - Our beautiful, inspirational, tenderhearted mother, Betty Gilbert Waters, passed away peacefully March 13, 2007, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family after a most heroic battle with ovarian cancer. Born in Logan County, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Bryan Oscar and Ruby Black Gilbert. She was a member of Portsmouth First Pentecostal Holiness Church.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband of 49 years, Gerald Holmes Waters Sr.; two daughters, Lynn R. Waters of Portsmouth and Kimberly W. Armstrong and husband Thomas of Currituck, N.C.; two sons, Gerald H. Waters Jr. and wife Renee of Chesapeake and Bradford G. Waters and wife Tamela of Suffolk; sister, Frances G. Bond and husband David of Portsmouth; brother, Franklin D. Gilbert and wife Hannah of Mesa, Ariz.; and six grandchildren whom she adored, Amanda Brooke Waters, Joshua Tyler Waters, Aaron Lee Waters, Hayden Gilbert Waters, Hayley Elizabeth Waters and Spencer Thomas Armstrong.

Betty was a warm and optimistic person. Always the consummate hostess, nothing pleased her more than to busy herself preparing a delicious meal for her family. She was always gracious and quick to express her gratitude with the most thoughtfully written "thank you" notes for any niceties received. She derived much pleasure from reading, particularly novels set in England, a country she grew quite fond of as a result of her European travels. Embracing the tradition of the British afternoon tea, specialty teas and delicate cakes were much looked forward to treats. Betty enjoyed playing Chinese checkers with her husband in the evenings and they took much pleasure in watching ACC basketball and the yearly NCAA tournament. Most important of all however was her devotion to the Lord. The way she chose to live her life was a testimony to her faith and an inspiration to all who knew her. Her spirit will be with us always.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Sturtevant Funeral Home, 5201 Portsmouth Blvd. A funeral will be conducted by Dr. Richard M. Waters and the Rev. Dwayne Moore at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake.

Upon completion of the burial service, family and friends are invited to the home of Brad and Tamela Waters, 2114 Canvasback Drive in the Driver section of Suffolk. At other times the family will receive friends at the residence, 608 Berkshire Road, Portsmouth.

"All that we can know about those we have loved and lost is that they would wish us to remember them with a more intensified realization of their reality. What is essential does not die but clarifies. The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude." Thornton Wilder.